MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled an attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military base in Borno State, military sources confirmed on Tuesday.

 

The attempted assault occurred in the early hours of the day when heavily armed insurgents advanced toward the forward operating base, located in a strategic area of the state. According to security sources, the attackers sought to overrun the facility but were met with strong resistance from Nigerian troops on duty.

 

A prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued, during which the soldiers, supported by reinforcements and coordinated firepower, forced the insurgents to retreat. The attackers reportedly fled the area after sustaining casualties, abandoning weapons and other military equipment.

 

Military authorities said the base remained firmly under the control of government forces following the encounter. While details of casualties on either side were not immediately disclosed, security officials described the troops’ response as “swift and decisive.”

 

In the aftermath of the attack, troops conducted clearance operations in the surrounding areas to prevent further threats and ensure the safety of nearby communities. Surveillance and security patrols have since been intensified to forestall additional attempts by insurgents to regroup.

 

A spokesperson for the Nigerian military commended the soldiers for their bravery and professionalism, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North-East. The military also urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence.

 

ISWAP, a splinter faction of Boko Haram, has continued to target military installations and civilian populations in parts of Borno State, despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations by Nigerian forces.

 

The situation in the area remains under close monitoring as military operations continue.