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.
Tell Your Men To Obey Court, Alaka Landowners Appeal To IGP Disu
Landowners in the Alaka area of Lagos State have called on the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to order the policemen stationed on their property to obey a subsisting court order directing the withdrawal of all security personnel from the site.
The landowners made the call on Wednesday, February 25, during an inspection visit to the land that saw them being threatened by armed policemen.
According to the landowners, they arrived at the property following a judicial directive ordering officers to leave the land and were in the process of inspecting their individual plots, taking photographs, recording videos, and discussing plans to commence development, only to be confronted by armed policemen who questioned their presence and issued threats to shoot at them.
Speaking to journalists, one of the landowners, Tolani Agbajobi, described the encounter as disturbing and insisted that the officers had no legal basis to remain on the land. He stressed that the police should respect the authority of the court and withdraw from the property without further delay.
Agbajobi said the inspection was a long-awaited opportunity for many landowners who had been denied access to the land for an extended period. He added that the continued presence of armed officers, despite a clear court order, undermines confidence in the rule of law and raises concerns about accountability within the security architecture.
He further questioned why policemen were still deployed on the land despite public statements by the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who had warned that police involvement in land recovery or related disputes was not part of the Force’s constitutional duties and would attract disciplinary action.
Calling for urgent intervention, Agbajobi appealed to the current Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to enforce compliance with both court rulings and established police directives by ordering the immediate withdrawal of the officers from the site.
Another landowner, who identified himself simply as Samuel, also expressed concern over what he described as growing impunity, questioning how officers could continue occupying the land in defiance of a court order and clear instructions previously issued by the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
The landowners maintained that their demand was not confrontational but rooted in respect for the law, insisting that the police must act within their constitutional mandate and allow the courts to resolve civil land disputes without intimidation or unlawful interference.
OGUN 2027: ABIODUN ISIAQ AKINLADE – A CHANGER OF POLITICAL NARRATIVES IN OGUN WEST
The Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, member representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Right Honorable Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, remains a political patriot and a true changer of political narratives in Ogun West. Over the years, he has consistently invested in building people and nurturing future leaders, leaving behind a legacy centered on empowerment and human capital development.
There is no doubt that his political dynasty is a proudly made-in-Nigeria project. The foundation he laid and the blueprints he developed during his tenure as a four-term member of the House of Representatives continue to simplify governance and inspire developmental strides across his constituency and beyond.
His roadmap for development has remained a guiding compass toward achieving the Ogun State of his dreams, particularly in improving the lives of the people of Ogun West.
Unarguably, the true test of leadership lies in the number of leaders and successful individuals one has raised. By this standard, Hon. Akinlade stands tall. Many beneficiaries of his mentorship, empowerment initiatives, and strategic support testify to his enduring impact.
Having served diligently during the era of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later evolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC), his unmatched antecedents remain etched in the hearts of the people of Ogun West. He continues to serve as a dependable point of contact, known for his pragmatic and solution-driven approach to governance.
Hon. Akinlade has continually reshaped the political narrative in Ogun West through employment facilitation, empowerment programs, and sustained community engagement. His unwavering commitment to the welfare of his people demonstrates his belief that leadership is about service and impact.
As a man of vision and positive ambition for his people, his political journey and aspirations—especially his Governorship ambition—reflect his continued desire to serve at higher levels. With sustained support and collective commitment, the people of Ogun West can continue to reap the dividends of democracy under his leadership.
Daniel Topology De-Prof
society
Panic in Aso Rock Villa as Opposition Leaders Reject Tinubu’s Electoral Law, Announce Next Action
Panic in Aso Rock Villa as Opposition Leaders Reject Tinubu’s Electoral Law, Announce Next Action
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Opposition coalition vows constitutional resistance, warns new electoral amendments could undermine 2027 polls.”
On 26 February 2026 in Abuja, opposition political parties triggered political turbulence inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa after publicly *rejecting the recently amended Electoral Act 2026 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The rejection came during a high‑profile press conference where leaders described the new law as anti‑democratic and threatening to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
The opposition, led by figures including former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, Ajuri Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and other prominent voices, faulted key provisions of the Act; especially clauses allowing manual result collation and limiting real‑time electronic transmission of polling unit results. They argued the law could undermine transparency, deepen electoral manipulation and entrench the governing party’s advantage.
In response, the coalition called for the National Assembly to commence a fresh amendment process and vowed to use constitutional means to resist implementation of the legislation ahead of elections widely seen as decisive for Nigeria’s democratic future.
The confrontation has ignited heated debate among civil society, political analysts and within the ruling party, reflecting widening fault lines over electoral reform and democratic credibility in the run‑up to 2027.
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