Nigerian Army Colonel, Several Soldiers Killed In Boko Haram Ambush In Borno

A serving Nigerian Army officer, Colonel I.A. Muhammad, has been killed in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents after a coordinated overnight assault on a military formation in Monguno, Borno State.

Military sources disclosed that the attack occurred on Sunday night when insurgents targeted a Forward Operating Base (FOB) under the 242 Battalion in the area, part of Sector 3 of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

“One of our senior commanders, Colonel I.A. Muhammad, was killed last night when Boko Haram attacked Monguno. They also killed some soldiers during the attack,” a frontline soldier revealed.

Monguno serves as a key military hub hosting several units led by senior officers and overseen by a General Officer Commanding. During the assault, insurgents reportedly focused on the FOB, prompting an urgent reinforcement response.

“The Colonel got information that troops at the FOB were under heavy attack. As a committed commander, he mobilised to lead reinforcement to the location,” another source said.

However, the reinforcement team was intercepted before reaching the base. The Colonel’s convoy reportedly drove into a carefully planned ambush involving a remotely detonated explosive device.

“He did not d+e inside the camp. He was on his way to support his men when Boko Haram fighters ambushed them with a controlled landmine. It was not the type you step on; it was detonated remotely at the exact moment his vehicle approached,” the source added.

The explosion killed the Colonel instantly along with an unconfirmed number of soldiers.