A Major, three soldiers and a local hunter have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Mayanti, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Daily Trust that the personnel lost their lives during a coordinated night assault on the military base on Sunday.
The fallen commander, identified as Major IU Mairiga, was said to have led a determined defence against the attackers. A source disclosed that although he inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents, he was eventually overwhelmed after some of his troops reportedly withdrew into nearby bushland.
“The commander fought gallantly and neutralised many of the terrorists before he was overpowered,” the source said, adding that reinforcements later arrived at the scene.
Troops who responded to the attack reportedly recovered Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), anti-aircraft weapons and PKT machine guns. Several bodies of the insurgents were also sighted at the location.
The source further revealed that Major Mairiga had been posted to the base less than four months ago following a special promotion.
During the exchange of fire, three civilians involved in reconstruction efforts in the community sustained injuries. Military vehicles and equipment at the base were also destroyed by fire during the assault.
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Meanwhile, troops under the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), said they repelled separate attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram between February 28 and March 1, 2026.
In a statement, the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, confirmed that one officer was killed in action, while numerous terrorists were neutralised. He added that significant quantities of weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Uba also stated that ongoing offensive operations across Sector II have led to the destruction of terrorist logistics facilities, the arrest of two ISWAP logistics suppliers and the seizure of arms, ammunition and medical supplies.
He maintained that all affected communities remain under military control, stressing that the volume of recovered equipment indicates a weakening of the insurgents’ combat capability.
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