“Terrorists Kill Military Commander, 17 Soldiers in Malam-Fatori, Borno”
Two days after the brutal killing of 20 fishermen at the Gadan Gari fishing community in Bama local government area, another attack has rocked Borno State. Armed terrorists, suspected to be Boko Haram or ISWAP militants, stormed a military base in Malam-Fatori, the headquarters of the Abadam local government area, killing a military commander, two senior officers, and 17 soldiers on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Malam-Fatori, located in the northern part of Borno near the border with Niger, has been a target of insurgents before, with a similar attack occurring recently in Sabon Gari, Damboa. According to reliable sources, the attackers launched their assault with multiple gun trucks, wreaking havoc for hours. The insurgents set fire to several buildings and military vehicles during the raid, dislodging the 149 Battalion as surviving soldiers fled the area for safety.
The attack resulted in numerous casualties, with many soldiers injured and a number of personnel still unaccounted for as of Saturday. Among the dead were the commanding officer, two senior officers, and the base medical director.
This deadly assault follows a similar attack on the military’s Forward Operating Base in Damboa earlier this month, where soldiers were killed and several others were reported missing.
In another tragic incident, terrorists attacked the Gadan Gari fishing community in Bama on Wednesday, killing at least 20 fishermen. Modu Ari, a member of the civilian joint task force, confirmed that the assailants opened fire on the fishermen at around 11:00 am, leading to multiple fatalities. A local resident, Mustapha Kachallah, shared that his child was among those killed, and that more than 15 victims had been buried by the community.
The military and state officials have not yet issued public statements regarding the attacks.
The resurgence of terrorist activity in Borno, particularly since November 2024, has raised alarm among residents and officials. Earlier this year, more than 40 farmers were killed in the Dumba area, a community in Kukawa local government known for fishing and farming.
The current situation has intensified calls for urgent action from both the federal government and the Nigerian military to restore peace and security, especially as the state government continues efforts to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes.
