Tension has again gripped the North-East following renewed attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on communities and military formations across Borno and Yobe states, leaving destruction in their wake.
The simultaneous assaults, which occurred between midnight and the early hours of Thursday, targeted Mafa, Dikwa, Gajibo, and Marte in Borno State, as well as Katarko in Yobe State. According to security sources, the coordinated operations appeared to have been meticulously planned, suggesting renewed collaboration between the two insurgent factions.
In Mafa, insurgents stormed a military checkpoint and barracks, carting away weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles used for patrols. Several vehicles and shops were burned, while residents fled into the bush for safety. In Dikwa, the terrorists overran a military location, looted weapons, and set both military and civilian vehicles ablaze before withdrawing toward the Lake Chad axis.
In Katarko, Yobe State, however, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled the attackers, killing 17 insurgents and forcing the rest to retreat. A statement from military sources revealed that more than 50 terrorists were neutralized across the affected locations, while over 70 others sustained gunshot wounds.
Recovered weapons included 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two general-purpose machine guns, grenades, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Although some soldiers sustained injuries, they were said to be in stable condition.
Security analysts say the timing of these attacks—coming shortly before the dry season—indicates a tactical move by the insurgents to loot weapons and reposition their cells before the Nigerian Army intensifies its seasonal operations. The attacks also signal the ongoing challenge of porous borders and the need for improved intelligence-sharing among regional forces under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State condemned the renewed onslaught, stressing that military action alone is not enough. He called for sustained operations, resettlement, and reconstruction of displaced communities to prevent the insurgents from regaining lost ground.
A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) described the military’s response as “encouraging,” but urged greater collaboration with locals to ensure early warning systems against surprise attacks.
The latest incidents add to a growing list of assaults this year, including attacks on Kirawa, Marte, and along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway. Despite repeated claims of victory by security authorities, residents in many frontline communities remain trapped between fear and uncertainty.
As the military intensifies counteroffensives, the question remains: can the Nigerian state sustain the momentum needed to permanently crush the decade-long insurgency, or will these renewed attacks mark yet another cycle in the North-East’s long nightmare?