The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a commanding officer and six soldiers following a terrorist attack on a military formation in Borno State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, disclosed that troops of Sector 3 came under what he described as an “isolated infiltration attack” by terrorists at the Charlie 13 location in Monguno on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
According to reports, suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked the military base, killing a senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel I.A. Mohammed, along with other soldiers.
Mr Uba stated that troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, eventually repelling them and maintaining control of the position. However, he confirmed that the commanding officer and six other personnel lost their lives after encountering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
He explained that the officer was on his way to the frontline to assess the situation when the explosion occurred, destroying his vehicle and killing him alongside the other soldiers.
The Army described the fallen personnel as brave and dedicated officers who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation, noting that the late commanding officer demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership.
The incident marks the second loss of a senior officer within a week. On April 9, insurgents also killed a Brigadier General, Oseni Braimah, during an attack on a military base in Benisheikh, further highlighting the escalating security challenges in the North-East region.