BREAKING: ISWAP Ambush Kills Several Soldiers in Borno

ISWAP ambush kills several soldiers in Borno State.
Two commanding officers reportedly among the casualties.
Army yet to release official statement on the deadly attack.

A yet-to-be-confirmed number of Nigerian soldiers have been killed after militants belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, ambushed a military convoy in Borno State.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Military sources revealed that the victims included two senior officers, Lieutenant Colonel A.S. Paiko of the 202 Tank Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu of the 222 Battalion.

The deadly attack occurred on Friday, October 17, 2025, when troops were heading to Kawuri town in the Bama Local Government Area for a clearance operation against the insurgents. The convoy reportedly came under heavy fire around 9:45 a.m., resulting in multiple fatalities and several soldiers sustaining severe injuries.

According to military insiders, the operation was jointly led by both commanding officers, who were acting on intelligence about terrorist movements in Kawuri village. However, the insurgents had laid an ambush, leading to a fierce gunfight that claimed the lives of many soldiers.

A source told reporters, “A clearance operation led by the Commanding Officers of 202 and 222 Battalions was ambushed, resulting in the deaths of both commanders and several other troops. The encounter was bloody, and many soldiers are still missing.”

Another source said Lieutenant Colonel Paiko was confirmed dead on the spot, while Colonel Iliyasu was critically wounded and later evacuated to the military hospital in Maiduguri. His condition remains uncertain, but reports suggest he may have died from his injuries.

The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the ambush, but the incident has once again highlighted the persistent threat posed by ISWAP militants operating within the North-East region.