Abuja, March 5, 2026 — Suspected militants have killed at least nine soldiers and abducted more than 100 civilians following a late-night attack on a military base and a nearby internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in northeastern Nigeria.
The assault occurred on March 4 in the Gwoza area of Borno State, a region that has remained a hotspot for insurgent activity for over a decade. Security sources said the attackers overran the army facility before moving toward a nearby IDP settlement.
During the raid, the militants reportedly killed nine soldiers as well as the town’s Chief Imam and several community elders. The attackers also looted weapons and ammunition from the base and set military vehicles on fire before withdrawing from the area.
Witnesses said the militants abducted more than 100 women and children, forcing them toward the mountainous terrain of the Mandara Mountains, which has long served as a hideout for insurgent groups operating along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
The attack triggered widespread panic in the region, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in nearby communities, including Pulka.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force reportedly launched airstrikes targeting militant positions in the area. Military officials said the operation resulted in the killing of more than 50 suspected militants, though independent verification of the casualty figures has not yet been confirmed.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Ali Ndume called for a decisive military offensive against insurgent hideouts across the region. He urged security authorities to intensify operations aimed at dismantling militant strongholds.
Ndume also linked the attack to tensions surrounding government plans to resettle displaced communities in parts of the region still considered vulnerable to insurgent activity.
The latest violence highlights the persistent security challenges facing northeastern Nigeria, where militant groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks despite years of military operations aimed at ending the insurgency.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing the full scale of the incident as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
