Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have killed a commanding officer of the Nigerian Army and some soldiers in an attack on Kukawa local government area of Borno State.

Credible security sources said the officer, identified as Lt-Col. Umar Farouq was in charge of military operations in Kukawa and was wounded in action, but died while being rushed to Maiduguri for treatment.

LEADERSHIP recalls that a commanding officer, Lt-Col. SI Iliyasu was killed along with some soldiers during an attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga military base last Friday, which also witnessed multiple simultaneous attacks on Marte, Gajiran and Jakana.

The terrorists suffered casualties in the attacks as troops repelled them with heavy gunfire.

In the Kukawa attack, a security source claimed that the terrorists killed an unspecified number of soldiers while defending the community from the insurgents.

“The Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists attacked Kukawa military base, which was burnt down and ammunition cartels were taken away.

“The commanding officer sustained critical injuries and died on his way to Maiduguri for medical attention. Some soldiers also lost their lives,” he said.

He added that the “Goniri military base in Yobe State and several military vehicles were also destroyed/captured, and the ISWAP terrorists carted away weapons and ammunition.”

During the assault, the insurgents reportedly looted weapons and ammunition from the base and set several military gun trucks ablaze.

Also, the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Dalwa community in the Konduga Local Government Area on Sunday night, dislodging residents and razing the community

Dalwa was among the communities resettled by the Borno State government in December 2025 as part of post-conflict recovery efforts.

Dalwa is about 20 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.