How Long Will This War Last?: Boko Haram Strikes Again In Borno—Soldiers Killed, Nigerians In Grief

They struck in the middle of the night—two different times. And once more, our soldiers fell, our communities cried, and the country was left shaken.

In yet another violent surge, Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters carried out deadly, well-planned attacks on two military bases in Borno State—one in Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government, and the other in Gajiram, under Nganzai Local Government. These coordinated assaults happened around midnight on Tuesday, leaving at least five soldiers dead and six others injured.

Another Bloody Night

Eyewitnesses from the area reported that the attack on Rann—a border community near Cameroon, about 200km from Maiduguri—was almost devastating. The terrorists, armed with heavy weapons, stormed the 3 Battalion military base, killing five gallant soldiers and injuring six others before troops under Operation Hadin Kai pushed them back.

“It was like a living nightmare. They nearly captured the base,” a resident who asked to remain unnamed said.

In Gajiram, roughly 82km north of Maiduguri, soldiers were said to have resisted strongly. The insurgents were eventually chased away, but the trauma from the attack still lingers.

Third Attack in a Day

These twin strikes happened just a few hours after another deadly attack on a military base in Marte, where more soldiers were killed and weapons carted away. This brings the number of attacks on military facilities in just one day to three. Three locations hit, many lives affected—and yet, no official statement from the military authorities.

Governor Zulum, Lawmakers Raise Alarm

The renewed killings have attracted strong condemnation from Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. He expressed deep concern over the repeated targeting of not just civilian communities, but military posts meant to protect them.

At the same time, the Senate Chief Whip, who also represents Borno North, has again called on the Federal Government to urgently organise a national security summit, stressing that the worsening insecurity in the North East can no longer be treated lightly.

When Will the Bloodshed Stop?

This goes beyond military personnel. It’s about a population living in fear, especially women and children who sleep in constant terror. It’s about a nation that keeps suffering from the same wound, yet keeps acting like healing is underway.

We need more than statements. Nigeria needs serious action. Strong intelligence. Security reform. Accountability. And most of all—lasting peace.