• ISWAP Raid: Military Base Attacked in Borno, Six Soldiers Confirmed Dead
• 40,000 Dead in Northeast Since 2009 Jihadist Insurgency
By Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
Bello Alhassan, North Operations
DAILY COURIER – The wave of insecurity in Nigeria has intensified, with two separate incidents highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in the country. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a bomb explosion at an Islamic school claimed two lives, while in Borno State, six soldiers were killed during a raid by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military base.
Abuja Bomb Blast Leaves Two Dead, School Owner in Custody
A tragic explosion rocked the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin, on Monday morning, killing two men and injuring two others. According to the FCT Police Command, preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion resulted from an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly brought by three visitors from Katsina.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated, “Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device on the school veranda, while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries.”
The school owner, Mallam Adamu Ashimu, has been taken into custody for questioning as authorities continue their investigation. Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or items to law enforcement.
ISWAP Raid Claims Six Soldiers in Borno State
In Borno State, ISWAP fighters launched a pre-dawn raid on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa district, killing six soldiers and setting fire to army vehicles. The insurgents attacked with trucks and motorcycles, engaging in an intense gun battle before retreating under airstrikes.
According to military sources quoted by AFP, the airstrikes inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating militants, destroying operational vehicles and weaponry. However, the Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the assault without providing specific casualty figures.
“This is another setback in our operations. An inquiry has been set up to confirm the details of what transpired,” Buba said.
Rising Insecurity and Its Toll
These incidents underscore the persistent security challenges in Nigeria, where jihadist insurgencies and armed criminal groups have devastated communities. Since 2009, the conflict in northern Nigeria has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people. ISWAP, a Boko Haram splinter group, has been particularly active in recent years, targeting military installations and civilians.
In November 2024, five Nigerian troops were killed, and 10 others injured in an ISWAP raid near the border with Niger. Despite efforts by the military to combat these groups, attacks continue to pose significant threats to peace and stability in the region.
As Nigeria grapples with these escalating security challenges, the government faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of violence and strengthen its counterinsurgency strategies. For now, the tragedies in Abuja and Borno highlight the urgency of safeguarding lives and restoring stability to affected regions.
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