Nigeria: Seven soldiers killed in Jihadist ambush in borno state

Saturday 18 October 2025 - 16:20

By: Sahili Aya

Nigeria: Seven soldiers killed in Jihadist ambush in borno state

At least seven Nigerian soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed on Friday after jihadist fighters ambushed a military patrol in the country’s northeast, according to an intelligence report reviewed by AFP on Saturday.

The attack occurred in a village in the Konduga administrative region, about 35 kilometers from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the epicenter of the jihadist insurgency that has ravaged the region for over 15 years.

A Persistent Insurgency

Nigeria has battled a violent insurgency since 2009, first led by Boko Haram and later by its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
While large-scale violence has declined compared to its peak a decade ago, deadly attacks on soldiers and civilians remain common, particularly in rural areas beyond government control.

A local member of a civilian anti-jihadist militia confirmed the death toll, though the Nigerian Army’s central command has not yet issued an official statement.

Coordinated and Deadly Attack

According to preliminary reports, the attackers ambushed a military convoy, opened fire, and retreated into the bush, leaving several army vehicles destroyed.
The assault is believed to have been carried out by ISWAP fighters, known for their use of grenades, improvised explosive devices, and drones in such operations.

Just a week earlier, seven other soldiers were killed when jihadists attacked a military base in Ngamdu, also in Borno State.

Military Strategy Under Scrutiny

Since 2019, the Nigerian Army has shut down several smaller outposts and regrouped its forces into larger, fortified “super camps.”
While this strategy has reduced casualties in direct attacks, critics argue it has left rural communities vulnerable, giving jihadists greater freedom of movement and increasing the risk of kidnappings and raids.

According to the United Nations, nearly two million people have been displaced by the conflict in northeastern Nigeria. The violence has also spread across borders into Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting the creation of a regional military coalition to combat the threat.