Seven Nigerian soldiers, including a newly promoted lieutenant colonel, were killed in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, according to military sources.
The attack reportedly occurred on Monday, January 26, 2026, as troops were travelling from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area. The officer, identified simply as Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed, was said to be leading the team on a surveillance mission following intelligence reports that insurgents were active in the area.
Sources said the convoy was ambushed with explosives and heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of seven personnel. Several other soldiers were seriously wounded, while an unspecified number are still unaccounted for.
“The commander mobilised the troops for reconnaissance based on security information, but they were attacked on their way,” a military source disclosed, adding that the bodies of the fallen soldiers were taken to the 7 Division Hospital. The attackers reportedly seized the commander’s phone, which was later answered by insurgents when senior officers tried to contact him.
Boko Haram and its affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have carried out repeated attacks across northeastern Nigeria, killing thousands of people and forcing millions from their homes over the years.
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