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BREAKING: Army commanding officer killed as Boko Haram attacks military base in Borno
A senior Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, has been confirmed dead following a fresh Boko Haram attack on a military base in Borno State.
The officer, who served as the Commanding Officer at the base in Kukuwa town, was reportedly killed alongside several troops during the assault by militants believed to be members of the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram.
Sources said the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the base on Sunday, dislodging troops, setting military vehicles ablaze and carting away ammunition.
After overrunning the base, the insurgents reportedly extended the attack to residents of the community in Kukawa Local Government Area.
A military source confirmed the death of the officer on Monday, describing the loss as a major blow.
“The commanding officer here, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, and some of his troops have been confirmed dead already,” the source said.
The latest incident occurred less than 72 hours after another senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, was killed alongside some soldiers in Konduga, also in Borno State.
In recent months, insurgents have intensified attacks on military installations in the North-East.
Between Thursday night and early Friday morning last week, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram militants launched coordinated assaults on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana and Marte.
During the attacks, the insurgents reportedly fired heavily at military positions, burned armoured tanks and military vehicles, and escaped with large quantities of ammunition.
Military sources said troops also killed several terrorists during the clashes while attempting to repel the attacks.
However, reports indicate that more than 40 soldiers were killed in the series of assaults across the affected bases.
Security challenges in Borno State have persisted for years, with insurgent groups continuing to target both military formations and civilian communities across the region.
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