At least 27 Nigerian soldiers have tragically lost their lives following a jihadist suicide attack in the northeastern part of the country, according to two military sources who spoke to AFP on Sunday. The attack, which is one of the deadliest in recent times, occurred on Friday during a ground offensive launched by the Nigerian troops against Islamic State-affiliated militants in a remote area that spans across Borno and Yobe states.
The suicide bombing claimed the lives of 27 soldiers, including the unit commander, and left several others in critical condition. One of the military officers confirmed the attack and described it as one of the most devastating suicide bombings aimed at the Nigerian forces in recent years.
Another officer provided additional details, revealing that the assault took place around 8:30 PM GMT. The attack occurred under the cover of darkness, which significantly hindered the soldiers' visibility. This made it more difficult to prevent or respond to the attack. The officer further stated that the death toll could rise as some of the wounded soldiers were in critical condition, increasing the likelihood of more fatalities.
The sources also revealed that the attack occurred near the Timbuktu Triangle, an area controlled by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to these officers, the assailant, a suicide bomber, drove a vehicle packed with explosives into a convoy of advancing Nigerian troops. The vehicle was concealed within dense vegetation, which prevented the soldiers from detecting it before the attack. The bomber’s targeted strike on the convoy was devastating, especially considering the vulnerability of the soldiers in that area.
ISWAP, which emerged after splitting from the Boko Haram group in 2016, has grown to become the dominant militant faction in the northeastern region of Nigeria. The group has since captured and fortified key areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa Forest. These locations have become strongholds for ISWAP, allowing them to stage attacks like this one. ISWAP is notorious for its tactics of deploying roadside bombs and using vehicles laden with explosives to target and ambush military convoys, leading to numerous casualties over the years.
The ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, which has been ravaging the region for 15 years, has had a devastating toll, claiming around 40,000 lives and displacing close to two million people. The violence has not only affected Nigeria but has also spread to neighboring countries, including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The continued spread of militancy has prompted the formation of a regional military coalition, aiming to combat these extremist groups and restore peace to the affected areas. Despite these efforts, the violence persists, as militant groups like ISWAP continue to carry out attacks on Nigerian military forces and civilians alike.