At least 19 soldiers, including a battalion commander, were killed in a devastating attack on a military base in Malam-Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area, Borno State, on Friday, January 24, 2025. Malam-Fatori, a border town located approximately two kilometers from the Nigerien community of Bosso, has witnessed increased militant activity in recent years.
Sources confirmed that the attackers, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launched a coordinated assault on the 149 Battalion, overrunning the base after hours of heavy fighting. Survivors described the scene as chaotic, with soldiers fleeing for safety as several buildings and military vehicles were destroyed. The attack left many troops severely injured, while others remain missing.
Among the fatalities were the battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Alari, two senior officers, and the base’s medical director. The attack occurred as troops were conducting routine operations in the volatile Timbuktu Triangle, a known stronghold of ISWAP. Reports indicate the soldiers were ambushed during the operation.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived in multiple gun trucks, unleashing firepower that overwhelmed the base’s defenses. The Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, and other authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
ISWAP’s Rising Threat in the Region
ISWAP, a splinter faction of Boko Haram formed in 2016, has established dominance in parts of northeast Nigeria, including the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa Forest. The group employs tactics such as roadside mines and vehicle-borne explosives, frequently targeting military personnel.
Last year, seven soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck a landmine in an area where ISWAP operates. The ongoing insurgency in the northeast, which has lasted over 15 years, has claimed approximately 40,000 lives and displaced around two million people. The violence has also spilled into neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting the formation of a multinational joint task force to combat the militants.
Call for Action
The attack highlights the persistent insecurity in the region and the urgent need for enhanced counter-insurgency measures. Analysts warn that ISWAP’s continued expansion poses a significant threat to stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond.
Comments