At least nine Nigerian soldiers were killed and several others seriously injured after their convoy struck a landmine and came under sustained gunfire from terrorists in Borno State, underscoring the persistent security threat in Nigeria’s North-East.
The attack occurred on Sunday near Bindundul village, about 12 miles from Kareto, an area known for the active presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Security sources say the terrorists had planted an explosive device along the route frequently used by military patrols.
According to two sources within the Damasak brigade, the landmine detonated as the convoy passed, killing nine soldiers instantly and leaving at least five others with severe injuries.
“The terrorists planted a mine that our soldiers stepped on. Unfortunately, about nine soldiers died on the spot, while five others sustained serious injuries,” one of the sources said.
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) involved in the rescue operation, Abba Kaka Tuja, confirmed that an armoured military vehicle was destroyed in the explosion. He added that the blast was immediately followed by sporadic gunfire from the attackers, who were believed to have been lying in wait.
The soldiers were travelling from Maiduguri to Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, when the ambush occurred at about 4:00 pm local time.
The incident highlights the continued use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by insurgents, a tactic that has repeatedly proven deadly for security forces and civilians alike across the region.
Despite the setback, the Nigerian military recorded a separate operational success in the state. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) eliminated five terrorists and rescued kidnapped civilians during a coordinated offensive in Konduga Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the operation was carried out in the early hours of January 4, 2026, following credible intelligence on terrorist movements.
According to the statement, troops, working closely with the Civilian Joint Task Force, engaged the terrorists at a known crossing point along the Sojiri axis. Five terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, with no casualties recorded among the troops.
The operation also led to the rescue of three civilians who had been abducted by fleeing insurgents. Items recovered from the scene included AK-47 rifles and other materials believed to have been used in terrorist operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba said the outcome of the operation demonstrated the professionalism, precision and combat effectiveness of the troops, as well as the importance of collaboration with local security groups.
He added that troop morale across the North-East theatre remains high, with security forces maintaining operational dominance despite evolving threats.
Meanwhile, insecurity has continued to spread beyond the North-East. In Kwara State, suspected bandits reportedly abducted four travellers along the Isanlu–Isin–Omu-Aran Road in Irepodun Local Government Area.
The incident comes amid heightened tension in the state following the abduction of the monarch of Aafin community, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, who were kidnapped on December 31, 2025, after armed men invaded his palace. The kidnappers are said to have demanded a ransom of N450 million.
Sources said the attackers operated freely along the highway, forcing vehicles to stop before marching passengers into the forest. As of the time of filing this report, no ransom demand had been made for the newly abducted travellers.
Although the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, a senior police officer at the Omu-Aran Divisional Headquarters confirmed the incident, saying efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ release.
The latest incidents once again raise urgent questions about road safety, intelligence gathering, and the ability of security agencies to protect both soldiers and civilians amid Nigeria’s widening security challenges.
