society
Soldiers Feared Dead as ISWAP Storms Army Base in Borno
Soldiers Feared Dead as ISWAP Storms Army Base in Borno
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Fresh assault on Jakana outpost underscores evolving insurgent tactics and persistent security gaps in Nigeria’s northeast.”
Several Nigerian soldiers are feared dead after suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter faction, launched a coordinated assault on a military outpost in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday, February 6, 2026, according to multiple security and media reports.
What happened
Security sources say heavily armed insurgents stormed the army outpost along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway in a surprise attack, opening fire and using explosives against the base.
The attackers reportedly approached from multiple directions, overwhelming the soldiers stationed at the location.
At least four soldiers were confirmed killed in the initial reports, while other accounts indicated that the casualty figure could be higher, though still unconfirmed at the time of filing this report.
Military sources said the bodies of fallen troops were evacuated to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
The insurgents also destroyed armoured vehicles and trucks before looting ammunition and supplies from the facility.
Where and when
The attack occurred in Jakana, a strategic town on the Maiduguri–Damaturu road, a critical military and civilian corridor linking Borno to neighboring Yobe State.
The incident took place in the early hours of Friday, February 6, 2026, according to security sources quoted in local reports.
Who was involved
The attackers were identified as militants belonging to ISWAP, the Islamic State-aligned faction that split from Boko Haram and has since become one of the most active insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region.
On the Nigerian side, the victims were soldiers stationed at the Jakana outpost. As of the time of publication, the Nigerian military had not released the names of the casualties, a common practice pending official notification of next of kin.
How the attack unfolded
According to military sources, the insurgents launched a coordinated, multi-directional assault, combining gunfire with explosives to neutralize defensive positions.
The intensity of the attack forced some soldiers to retreat into nearby bush areas as the militants overran parts of the facility.
Recent intelligence reports indicate that insurgent factions in the northeast have increasingly adopted more sophisticated tactics, including drone-assisted strikes and coordinated raids on military bases.
Why it happened
Security analysts say such attacks are typically aimed at:
Seizing weapons and ammunition
Destroying military infrastructure
Demonstrating operational capability
Undermining troop morale and public confidence
The Jakana attack follows a pattern of assaults on forward operating bases across Borno and neighboring states. In similar incidents, insurgents have targeted isolated formations, looted equipment, and withdrawn before reinforcements arrive.
Brief background
Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began in 2009, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad basin.
In recent years, ISWAP has emerged as a more structured and tactically organized faction, focusing on military targets and strategic infrastructure.
Despite repeated claims by authorities that the insurgency has been largely degraded, attacks on military formations and civilian communities have continued. Just last week, militants killed dozens of people, including soldiers, in another assault in Borno State.
Expert perspective
Security analyst Dr. Bulama Bukarti, a senior fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has previously warned that insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region are “adapting faster than the states fighting them,” noting that they are increasingly using mobility, intelligence, and surprise to exploit weakly defended bases.
Similarly, Dr. Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, has argued that “military victories without parallel governance and economic stabilization efforts tend to be temporary,” emphasizing the need for a broader, multi-dimensional strategy.
Official response
As of the time of publication, the Nigerian military had not issued a comprehensive official statement detailing casualty figures or the operational outcome of the attack.
However, in previous incidents, military authorities have insisted that troops continue to repel insurgent offensives and inflict heavy losses on the attackers.
The unanswered questions
The latest assault raises familiar concerns:
Why are forward operating bases still vulnerable to surprise attacks?
Are troop numbers and equipment at these outposts sufficient?
Has the insurgency entered a new tactical phase?
These questions continue to shape public debate as Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign enters its second decade.
Names of those involved
As of this report:
Confirmed insurgent group: ISWAP (Boko Haram faction)
Military casualties: At least four soldiers confirmed dead; additional casualties feared
Names of soldiers: Not yet released by the Nigerian military
In most military operations, identities of fallen soldiers are withheld until families are formally notified.
Summary
The attack on the Jakana military outpost is another stark reminder that, despite years of offensives and official assurances, insurgent groups remain capable of launching deadly and coordinated strikes against Nigerian security forces.
Until the military releases a full operational report and casualty list, the precise toll may remain uncertain. Though the incident once again underscores the enduring volatility of Nigeria’s northeast and the urgent need for a strategy that combines military strength with intelligence, governance and regional cooperation.
society
Eid-el-Fitr: Obasa Felicitates Muslims, Calls for More Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Eid-el-Fitr: Obasa Felicitates Muslims, Calls for More Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
As Muslims across Lagos and Nigeria celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has extended warm greetings to the faithful, describing the festival as a season of joy, renewal, and gratitude.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dave Agboola, Obasa described Eid-el-Fitr as “not just a celebration; it is a reminder of the values of sacrifice, compassion, and unity that Ramadan instills.”
The Speaker used the medium to admonish Nigerians to remain steadfast in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that his Renewed Hope Agenda is already delivering measurable progress.
He pointed to the country’s improving economic outlook, with growth figures showing resilience and inflation gradually easing after months of reforms. He also highlighted the administration’s social protection programmes, which are empowering women, families, and vulnerable groups, alongside initiatives that are opening doors for youth leadership and participation in governance.
“As our dear President steers the ship of Nigeria to the Promised Land, it is our duty as citizens to stand by him with prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan – it is a blueprint that is yielding results across the country. These reforms may be tough, but they are laying the foundation for sustained growth, improved public services, and a stronger Nigeria,” Obasa said.
He concluded by wishing all Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Fitr celebration, urging them to carry forward the spirit of Ramadan into everyday life and to remain united in the collective task of building a prosperous nation.
society
FROM GLOBAL IMPACT TO NATIONAL SERVICE: DR. PRINCESS CHETACHI NWOGA-NWOGA-ECTON ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE OWERRI ZONE
FROM GLOBAL IMPACT TO NATIONAL SERVICE: DR. PRINCESS CHETACHI NWOGA-NWOGA-ECTON ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE OWERRI ZONE
In a defining moment that has electrified the political landscape of Imo State, globally acclaimed philanthropist, Dr. Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has officially accepted the clarion call of Owerri Zone youths to contest for the Senate seat in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking from the United States, where she continues to advance her humanitarian engagements, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton made her position known in a heartfelt and resolute address that has since resonated across communities at home and in the diaspora.
A distinguished recipient of the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under the administration of Joe Biden, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton has built a legacy rooted in compassion, service, and global impact.
As the Founder of the When In Need Foundation, she has transformed countless lives through initiatives focused on empowerment, healthcare, education, and social welfare.
Beyond her widely recognized humanitarian strides, she is also a passionate and consistent advocate of agriculture. For many years, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton has championed farming as a tool for economic growth and food security, personally supporting farmers across several local governments in Imo State.
Through her initiatives, she has distributed seedlings to farmers, helping to boost local agricultural productivity and encourage sustainable livelihoods.
Her impact is equally profound among widows and women, whom she has continually supported through financial assistance and structured skills acquisition programs.
These empowerment efforts have enabled countless women to regain economic independence, rebuild their lives, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Responding to the persistent and passionate agitation by Owerri Zone youths, she declared:
“After deep reflection, consultations, and prayers, I have decided to humbly accept the call of our vibrant and courageous youths to serve.
This is not a personal ambition, but a collective mission — a responsibility to represent, to uplift, and to deliver purposeful leadership to our people.”
Her acceptance has been met with overwhelming jubilation, especially among young people who have long advocated for credible, people-oriented representation.
For many, her decision signals the dawn of a new era — one anchored on integrity, inclusiveness, and visionary leadership.
Dr. Nwoga-Ecton emphasized that her transition from global humanitarian service to active political participation is a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to humanity:
“Service knows no boundaries.
Whether on the global stage or within our communities, the goal remains the same — to create opportunities, restore hope, and build a future that works for everyone.
Owerri Zone deserves a strong, compassionate voice at the Senate, and I am ready to answer that call.”
Political analysts have described her entry into the race as a game-changer, citing her international exposure, proven track record, and deep grassroots connection as key strengths that set her apart.
For the youths of Owerri Zone, their voices have not only been heard — they have been answered.
And in Dr. Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, they see not just a candidate, but a symbol of hope, a vessel of change, and a leader ready to chart a new course for the future.
Dr. Chris Oko Odey
Abuja.
The award she received from the US is the presidential lifetime achievement award not award of excellence please take note before publishing
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
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