In a devastating attack on Friday, January 24, 2025, Bøkø Hårãmm insurgents ambushed a Nigerian Army battalion in Damboa, Borno State, leading to significant casualties among military personnel.
Nigerian Army: The assault claimed the lives of over 20 soldiers, including the battalion’s commanding officer, two senior officers, and the medical director of the base.
In addition to the fatalities, many soldiers sustained severe injuries, while several others remain unaccounted for following the attack. Efforts to locate the missing personnel are underway as authorities assess the scale of the tragedy.
Damboa, a town near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, has been a hotspot of insurgency in recent years. It currently serves as a refuge for thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing violence in the region.
This incident underscores the persistent security challenges posed by the ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, sparking renewed calls for intensified efforts to combat terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.