Boko Haram, ISWAP Unleash Coordinated Attacks Across Borno, Yobe, Overrun Military Posts

By Tgnews Reporter, Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents launched a series of audacious attacks on Wednesday night, targeting five communities across Borno and Yobe States in Nigeria’s restive northeast.

The affected areas—Mafa, Dikwa, Marte, and Ajiri in Borno, and Katarko in Yobe—bore the brunt of what security sources described as a meticulously coordinated offensive.

In Mafa, Borno State, the assailants struck a military checkpoint after 11 p.m., unleashing a barrage of gunfire that disrupted the quiet of the night. According to a security source, the insurgents, arriving in overwhelming numbers, overran a military barrack in the town, looting arms, ammunition, and newly acquired operational motorcycles used for patrols in remote areas.

“The number of attackers was so massive, no one could imagine,” the source told our correspondent, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

While the exact toll on military personnel remains unclear, a senior security official confirmed that “many terrorists were neutralised” during the intense firefight. The insurgents, reportedly armed with sophisticated weaponry, arrived in four gun trucks and over 100 motorcycles, underscoring the scale and audacity of the operation.

In a glimmer of relief amidst the chaos, a local source in Mafa reported no civilian casualties. However, the attackers looted food supplies and other commodities destined for Gambarou and nearby towns, setting fire to transport vehicles in their wake.

“They shot sporadically at the checkpoint where commuters were waiting for the military gate to open,” the source recounted, adding that the looted goods were critical for local trade.

The violence was not confined to Mafa. Similar attacks rocked Marte, Dikwa, and Ajiri in Borno, as well as Katarko in Yobe, signaling a broader campaign by the insurgents to destabilize the region. In Marte, a military truck was set ablaze, further highlighting the ferocity of the assaults.

These attacks mark a troubling escalation in the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP, which have plagued Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade, displacing millions and claiming countless lives.

The coordinated nature of the strikes raises fresh concerns about the security situation in the region, despite ongoing military operations to curb the insurgency.

Efforts to reach military spokespersons for further comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report. However, local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as security forces work to restore calm.

As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath, the resilience of the people in Borno and Yobe remains steadfast, even in the face of such relentless adversity.