Commanding Officer Killed after suspected Boko Haram terrorists overran a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State in the early hours of Monday, security sources and residents confirmed.Local sources told SkyDNews that the insurgents launched the assault on the military formation around 12:30 a.m., storming the community from multiple directions before engaging troops stationed at the base in a fierce exchange of gunfire.According to a source in the town, the attackers moved swiftly toward the military facility after entering the area, catching residents and security personnel off guard as the gun battle intensified leading to the death of the Commanding Officer.“They stormed the town from multiple directions and launched an attack on the military camp,” the source said, adding that the sudden incursion created panic among residents who fled to safer areas as the confrontation unfolded.Security sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the insurgents eventually dislodged the troops from the base, set several military vehicles ablaze, and carted away a quantity of ammunition during the operation.One of the security sources confirmed the tragic loss of the Commanding Officer during the attack, describing the development as devastating for the troops and the community.“I cannot say much about the casualties, but it’s very sad that we also lost the CO (Commanding Officer) here,” the source said.Commanding Officer Killed in Boko Haram attack in BornoThe latest attack marks another setback in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the region, where Nigerian security forces have been battling Boko Haram and its factions for over a decade.Residents in Kukawa said the Commanding Officer killed had previously been praised for his leadership and bravery after successfully repelling a similar attack by insurgents on the same military base.Speaking on the earlier incident, community members had commended the troops for their swift response, noting that several terrorists were reportedly killed during the confrontation that forced the attackers to retreat.The successful defense of the base at the time attracted widespread praise from residents and observers on social media, where many Nigerians hailed the commanding officer and his team for their courage and commitment to protecting the community.The recognition also extended to political leaders in the area, including the lawmaker representing Kukawa Local Government Area in the Borno State House of Assembly, Karta Maina Ma’aji Lawan, who publicly celebrated the troops’ efforts during the earlier victory over the insurgents.Reacting to the latest attack, the lawmaker expressed sadness over the loss of lives and the reported overrunning of the military facility, describing the incident as a painful development for both the armed forces and residents of the area.He noted that the community had earlier celebrated the bravery of the commanding officer and his troops after their successful defense against insurgents, making the latest tragedy particularly heartbreaking.The incident in Kukawa comes amid a resurgence of attacks in parts of Borno State, a region that has remained at the center of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency crisis.Security analysts say insurgent groups have recently intensified attacks on remote communities and military formations, targeting security installations and attempting to seize weapons and equipment.The latest development also follows a recent attack by suspected terrorists on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.Army Chief Reacts as Commanding Officer Killed when Boko Haram Overruns Military BaseSources reported that the attack in Ngoshe resulted in the deaths of an unspecified number of soldiers and civilians, further highlighting the continuing security challenges facing communities in the region.Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the Kukawa incident as of the time of filing this report, but security experts warn that the repeated assaults on military installations underline the evolving tactics of insurgent groups operating in the North-East.For many residents, however, the loss of the commanding officer who was once celebrated for defending the town has left a profound sense of grief, reinforcing the harsh realities faced by both civilians and security forces in areas affected by the insurgency.#BokoHaram #BornoAttack #NigeriaSecurity #KukawaAttack #MilitaryBaseAttack #TerrorismInNigeria #NorthEastNigeria #SecurityCrisis #SkyDNews
