At least 25 militants, including a senior commander, were killed after a failed overnight assault in northeast Nigeria, military authorities said Thursday.
The attackers, linked to the Boko Haram faction ISWAP, launched a coordinated strike on Kukareta in Borno State shortly after midnight Wednesday.
Troops stationed in the area responded swiftly, engaging the insurgents in a fierce counteroffensive that echoed through the early morning darkness.
The operation, led by Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, continued until approximately 3:00 am local time, forcing militants into retreat.
Among those killed was a senior commander identified as Abu Umar Bundi Munzir, alongside 24 other fighters, according to officials.
Abubakar said the militants attempted to overrun the community but were met with decisive resistance that shattered their advance.
Following the clash, troops swept the area, uncovering a significant cache of weapons abandoned in the militants’ hurried withdrawal.
Recovered items included assault rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and mortar tubes, alongside ammunition and other materials.
One militant was captured alive during the operation, offering potential intelligence as security forces continue to track insurgent movements.
The military also confirmed that two soldiers were wounded in the exchange and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Nigeria has endured a protracted insurgency in its northeast for more than a decade, driven by extremist groups seeking territorial control.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, leaving deep scars across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
