After Base Attacks, Military Pushes Back With Fresh Offensive in Northeast
Nigerian troops have killed at least 18 suspected militants in a renewed counteroffensive in the country’s northeast, signaling a shift from defensive responses to more aggressive ground operations following recent insurgent attacks on military positions.
The Nigerian military said the attack were carried out in Borno State, long considered the epicentre of the insurgency led by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.
According to military officials, troops targeted multiple enclaves, including forest hideouts and logistics corridors used by the militants. The coordinated assaults resulted in 11 fighters killed in one operation and seven others in a separate operation, while also disrupting supply routes and communication lines.
The latest push comes days after insurgents launched deadly raids on military bases in the region, exposing vulnerabilities and prompting the armed forces to recalibrate their strategy. Analysts say the attack reflect a more proactive doctrine aimed at denying militant groups the ability to regroup or dictate the pace of conflict.
Nigeria’s northeast has faced a protracted insurgency for over a decade, displacing millions and straining humanitarian resources. While the military has recorded periodic successes, the conflict has evolved into a cycle of attacks and counteroffensives, with both sides adapting tactics.
Military authorities maintain that sustained pressure on militant strongholds will be critical in preventing further high-profile attacks and stabilizing the region, even as concerns persist about the resilience and mobility of insurgent networks.
