Borno Under Fire as Major, Soldiers, Hunter Killed in Boko Haram Assault

 

Borno Under Fire as Major, Soldiers, Hunter Killed in Boko Haram Assault

A quiet night in Mayanti, a community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, turned deadly when Boko Haram insurgents launched a coordinated attack on a Forward Operations Base, leaving a senior officer, three soldiers, and a local hunter dead.

Security sources said the base commander, Major IU Mairiga, was killed during the fierce confrontation alongside three of his men. A local hunter supporting security efforts in the area also lost his life in the assault, while three civilian workers engaged in reconstruction projects sustained injuries amid the gunfire.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the attack occurred at night and was heavily armed. Major Mairiga reportedly led the defence and neutralised several insurgents as troops fought to repel the attackers. However, the situation became dire after some personnel retreated, leaving the commander and a few others overwhelmed by the insurgents’ firepower. He was eventually overpowered and killed in the line of duty.

The late officer had been deployed to the Mayanti base less than four months ago following a special promotion, a development that makes his death even more painful for colleagues and family members who had seen it as a recognition of his service and dedication.

In the aftermath of the clash, troops recovered Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), anti-aircraft weapons, PKT machine guns, and the bodies of several insurgents at the scene, indicating the scale and intensity of the attack. Despite the resistance put up by soldiers, the insurgents reportedly set some military vehicles and equipment ablaze before retreating.

The Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI later confirmed that troops repelled coordinated attacks on Mayanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram between February 28 and March 1. The military stated that scores of insurgents were killed during the engagements and that heavy weapons were seized from the attackers.

The latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing communities in Borno State and the wider North-East region. For residents, every renewed attack revives memories of years of violence and displacement. For the armed forces, it is another painful reminder of the sacrifices being made in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Major Mairiga and the others who died join a long list of security personnel and civilians who have paid the ultimate price. As operations continue across the region, many Nigerians will be hoping that sustained military pressure will translate into lasting stability and relief for communities that have endured more than a decade of conflict.