
Nigerian military authorities have announced on Thursday the death of 76 fighters from the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) groups in Borno State, underscoring the continued volatility in northeastern Nigeria.
According to a statement from Military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba, troops conducted various offensives in the Damboa, Bama, and Chibok areas between January 7 and January 13, resulting in the elimination of 24 militants during that period alone, Reuters reported.
Buba did not comment on potential military casualties but noted that at least 72 individuals had been detained in connection with militant activities, while eight hostages were freed. Recovered weapons reportedly include assault rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices.
Borno has long been the epicenter of Nigeria’s insurgency, which began in 2009 when Boko Haram launched a violent campaign to establish an Islamic state. ISWAP, a splinter faction that emerged around 2016, further escalated conflict by carrying out targeted attacks on military facilities and civilians. Over the years, the insurgency has killed thousands, displaced millions, and led to a dire humanitarian situation in the broader Lake Chad region.
Despite increased military operations, the militants continue to mount raids in rural communities. Most recently, at least 40 farmers lost their lives in an attack on Dumba community. The Nigerian government maintains that sustained military campaigns remain critical to weakening insurgent strongholds and eventually restoring stability in the troubled northeast.