Officers, soldiers die in combat as Boko Haram intensifies attacks on military bases in north-east

Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have been blamed for intensified attacks on military bases in Nigeria’s north-east in the past week.

At least two officers and several soldiers have been killed in the attacks across parts of the region, as security analysts say the assaults demonstrate a remarkable level of coordination by the insurgents.

Over the weekend, Islamic extremists launched at least six attacks in Borno and Yobe states and across the wider Lake Chad region.

According to security reports, the attackers carted away trucks and military hardware from the targeted bases.

The Nigerian military said the attacks between Sunday and Monday were an attempt by terrorists to overwhelm troop positions.

Maj-Gen Sani Uba, military spokesperson, said the troops lost an unspecified number of soldiers and a military officer during the assaults.

Uba said the casualties add to the deaths of several soldiers and at least one officer recorded earlier in the week.

Security analysts estimate that at least four military officers have been killed in the attacks within the period.

The latest attacks have triggered public anger, with some Nigerians accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of focusing on political considerations ahead of the next presidential election.

Observers say although ISWAP has increased attacks on military positions in recent months, the recent wave marks one of the first times the group has carried out simultaneous assaults on such a scale in the region.

Videos released by ISWAP showed weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles which the group claimed were seized during the raids.

Taiwo Adebayo, analyst at the Institute for Security Studies, said insurgents often target military camps to replenish their weapons stock.

He said: “When they hit those camps, they strip the base of weapons, burn it down and retreat into the forests.”

Malik Samuel, Nigerian security researcher with Good Governance Africa, said the vulnerability of military bases has enabled insurgents to restock their weapons.

He said: “As long as military bases remain vulnerable to being overrun, ISWAP does not need to spend money buying arms.”

The attacks are occurring despite increased security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

At least 100 US troops have been deployed to assist the Nigerian military with training and logistics under a new security partnership.

Adebayo said the insurgents benefit from the limited presence of security forces and government institutions in many conflict-prone areas.