A Nigerian Army colonel has been killed in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents following an overnight attack on a military position in Monguno, Borno State.
Military sources told Newsmen that the incident occurred late Sunday when insurgents launched a coordinated assault on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) operated by the 242 Battalion under Sector 3 of the army’s counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
The slain officer, identified as Colonel I.A. Muhammad, was reportedly leading a reinforcement team after receiving reports that troops at the FOB were under heavy attack. According to sources, he quickly mobilised to support the embattled soldiers.
However, while en route to the location, his convoy ran into an ambush set by the insurgents. The attackers had planted a remotely detonated improvised explosive device (IED) along the route, which was triggered as the Colonel’s vehicle approached.
The explosion killed him instantly, along with several soldiers travelling with him, although the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.
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Sources emphasised that the Colonel was not killed within the camp but died while attempting to reach and reinforce his troops at the frontline.
Monguno is considered a key military hub in Borno State, hosting multiple units and serving as a base for coordinated operations in the region.
The attack underscores growing concerns over the increasing use of sophisticated explosives by Boko Haram fighters, posing heightened risks to troops operating in the area.
The incident follows a series of recent attacks on military formations in Borno State. In the past few weeks, several officers, including senior commanders, have been killed in separate assaults by insurgents across the region.
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