Boko Haram/ISWAP attack Nigerian Army base, kill 3 soldiers, steal gun trucks

Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three soldiers and made off with two gun trucks.

The attack, which occurred in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, lasted several hours and resulted in significant destruction, including the burning of military buildings and vehicles.

According to sources, the terrorists launched the attack last Sunday, overwhelming the military facility before reinforcements could arrive. The assailants reportedly razed multiple structures and seized two gun trucks, leaving the base in disarray. The identities of the fallen soldiers—a Staff Sergeant and two privates—are being withheld pending notification of their families.

This incident follows a recent attack by the same terror group on a Forward Operating Base in Damboa Local Government Area, where numerous soldiers were killed and others remain missing. ISWAP has claimed responsibility for both attacks, releasing images of their fighters engaging the military during the assault.

Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has intensified its operations, absorbing many of Shekau’s fighters and consolidating its control over territories around Lake Chad.

Despite repeated claims by the Nigerian Army that insurgency has been largely contained, such attacks highlight the ongoing threat posed by these extremist groups.

The conflict has already claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states, underscoring the urgent need for a more robust response to the insurgency.

Boko Haram/ISWAP: A persistent threat

Boko Haram, officially known as *Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad* (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad), was founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

The group gained notoriety for its opposition to Western education and its goal of establishing an Islamic state governed by Sharia law.

Under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, who took over after Yusuf’s death in 2009, Boko Haram became increasingly violent, carrying out attacks on schools, government institutions, and civilians.

However, in 2016, a faction of the group split to form the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

ISWAP, led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, positioned itself as a more strategic and less indiscriminately violent group, focusing on military targets and territorial control rather than civilian massacres.

Both Boko Haram and ISWAP employ guerrilla warfare tactics, including ambushes, suicide bombings, and raids on military and civilian targets.

Boko Haram gained global infamy for the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls, while ISWAP has demonstrated more sophisticated military strategies, such as using drones for reconnaissance and launching coordinated attacks on military bases.

The groups have exploited the remote and porous borders of the Lake Chad region to evade capture and maintain their operations.

Despite military offensives, their ability to adapt and regroup has made them a persistent threat.

For instance, on February 15, 2025, ISWAP attacked a Nigerian Army base in Isige town, Borno State, killing three soldiers and stealing two gun trucks, highlighting their continued operational capacity.

The activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP have had devastating humanitarian consequences across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Over 100,000 people have been killed, and more than 2.5 million have been displaced, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The insurgency has disrupted agriculture, trade, and education, plunging the region into economic hardship and food insecurity.

Children have been particularly affected, with thousands forced out of school and many recruited as child soldiers or used as suicide bombers.

The ongoing violence has also strained the resources of regional governments and international aid organizations, leaving millions in need of urgent assistance.

In response to the threat, the Nigerian government, along with neighboring countries and international partners, has launched multiple military campaigns.

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Benin, has been instrumental in conducting joint operations against the groups.

However, the insurgency persists due to factors such as corruption, inadequate military resources, and the groups’ ability to blend into local populations.

International efforts, including support from the United States, France, and the United Nations, have focused on providing humanitarian aid, strengthening regional security, and addressing the root causes of extremism, such as poverty and lack of education.

Despite these efforts, Boko Haram and ISWAP remain significant threats to stability in West Africa.

The death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in 2021 led to further defections to ISWAP, which has since consolidated its grip on territories around Lake Chad.

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