Militants Ambush Nigerian Troops in Borno State, Underscoring Persistent Security Risks
The attack occurred on Monday in the Damasak area, according to two security sources familiar with the situation. The soldiers were on patrol when they encountered militants who opened fire, leaving seven troops dead, while 13, including the patrol’s commanding officer, were taken captive. Despite efforts to repel the attackers and regroup, the mil
itants overwhelmed the patrol. One source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Attempts by military reinforcements to locate and recover the missing troops were ongoing, the sources added. The Nigerian Army did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Previous operations in the region have seen troops engage insurgent cells, but militants have continued to exploit difficult terrain, local sympathies, and porous borders to stage ambushes and raids. Borno State has been at the center of Nigeria’s long‑running insurgency, where Boko Haram and its splinter groups, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have frequently attacked military and civilian targets. Despite ongoing counter insurgency operations, the groups remain capable of mounting large‑scale assaults in remote areas. The incident comes amid continued efforts by the Nigerian military to push back insurgents in the northeast, but frequent militant attacks underscore persistent instability and the challenges faced by security forces in containing armed groups. Source: Political Economistng