Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly killed at least nine soldiers during a deadly assault on a military formation in Mandara-Girau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday amid heavy rainfall, is said to have caught troops stationed at the location off guard, resulting in significant casualties and the temporary overrunning of parts of the military base.
Mandara-Girau is situated a few kilometres from Biu town, one of the major communities in southern Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that the insurgents stormed the military position in large numbers and launched a coordinated attack on the troops.
According to one of the sources, the terrorists opened fire on the soldiers shortly after arriving at the formation, triggering a fierce confrontation.
“They killed nine soldiers and injured several others, and they were all beheaded,” the source alleged.
The source further claimed that the attackers overwhelmed parts of the military formation before withdrawing from the area.
The full extent of the casualties is yet to be independently verified, while details surrounding the attack remain sketchy.
Meanwhile, a video clip reportedly obtained from the scene showed the bodies of eight soldiers covered with blankets, although the authenticity of the footage could not be independently confirmed.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The latest attack comes amid renewed concerns over persistent insurgent activities in parts of Borno State despite ongoing military operations aimed at degrading the capabilities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the North-East region.
