ISWAP terrorists ambushed Nigerian troops near Damasak, killing seven soldiers and capturing 13 others in a brazen attack that exposes ongoing security gaps.
Terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a fierce assault on a Nigerian military convoy patrolling near Damasak in Borno State on January 27, 2026.
They killed seven soldiers on the spot and seized 13 more, including the unit’s commanding officer, a major, according to eyewitnesses and security sources.
The attackers struck with heavy gunfire and explosives, overwhelming the patrol in the remote northeastern region.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the terrorists overran the convoy, forcing some soldiers to flee back to base while others fell captive.
However, conflicting accounts emerged early on, with some reports initially claiming nine soldiers died and over a dozen went missing, highlighting the fog of war in the area.
Security analysts confirmed the lower toll of seven fatalities but emphasized the capture’s severity, noting it mirrors last year’s grim incident where ISWAP terrorists abducted and executed Brigadier General Musa Uba.
In addition, ISWAP, a splinter group from Boko Haram aligned with ISIS, has ramped up operations in northeastern Nigeria despite military efforts to contain them.
The group recently acquired drones, bolstering their ability to conduct surveillance and strikes, which likely aided this ambush.
Moreover, the Nigerian Army intensified patrols in the Timbuktu Triangle nearby, where they inflicted heavy losses on ISWAP just days earlier, killing 22 terrorists in a counteroffensive.
Yet this latest attack underscores persistent vulnerabilities, as terrorists exploit rugged terrain and intelligence gaps to target convoys.
Furthermore, the absence of an official statement from the Nigerian Army fueled speculation and concern on social media, where users decried the government’s handling of the insurgency.
One analyst on X warned that such captures could lead to executions or propaganda videos, urging swift rescue operations.
As a result, local communities in Borno remain on edge, with fears of reprisal attacks growing amid the escalating conflict.
Meanwhile, international observers called for enhanced support to Nigerian forces, pointing to the broader regional threat posed by ISWAP.
The group has displaced thousands in past raids on Damasak, forcing residents to flee across borders.
Consequently, experts advocate for better-equipped patrols and intelligence sharing to break the cycle of ambushes that have plagued the Lake Chad basin for over a decade.
