Over 40 Soldiers Killed, 20 Injured As Boko Haram Terrorists Invade Nigeria’s Largest Military -Training Base In Niger State
Gunshots echoed as more than 40 soldiers were killed and 20 others wounded when Boko Haram invaded Nigeria’s largest military training base, Nagwamase Military Cantonment, located in Kontagora, Niger State, in north-central Nigeria. The base has long served as a key training ground for the Nigerian Army Artillery Corps.
The Niger State House of Assembly sounded the alarm about the takeover of this military facility by the terrorist group Boko Haram, officially known as Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (“Group of the People of Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad”). This Islamist terrorist organization controlled large parts of Northern Nigeria under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau until his death on May 19, 2021 as reported by FCNN . Since 2022, several sources report that the current head is Abu Umaimata.
The Nagwamase Military Cantonment, crucial for Nigeria’s military readiness, is located in Kontagora, Niger State. Its capture and occupation has sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting the region’s worsening security situation, according to FCNN. Besides occupying the training camp, the terrorists have forced approximately 23 farming communities in and around Kontagora and the Mariga local government areas to evacuate due to ongoing violence and fear of attacks, according to a written statement from Abdullahi Isah, a member representing Kontagora II State Constituency.
Isah wrote that Boko Haram has expelled Nigerian soldiers from the area, seized control of the site, and established at least eight separate camps within the vicinity. They are using the location as a stronghold to launch operations.
Lawmakers Scramble to Demand Military to Reclaim Territory
The dire situation was raised during a legislative session on Tuesday, Oct. 29, by Isah, who then a presented amotion of urgent public importance, urging the state government to collaborate swiftly with the military to reclaim the camp and restore safety to the region. The motion was approved.
Isah described how the terrorist groups have turned the military training site into a base, posing a severe security threat to nearby communities. According to Isah, residents have faced frequent and aggressive attacks, with numerous abductions occurring in recent weeks.
“This military camp, once a hub for national security, is now a haven for terrorists,” Isah reported. “Their presence poses a constant threat, endangering the lives of local residents and preventing many displaced people from returning home,” Isah added.
In response, the Niger State House of Assembly has urged the state government to collaborate swiftly with the military to reclaim the camp and restore safety to the region. Lawmakers emphasized the critical importance of securing the training camp not only for the safety of local communities but also for maintaining control over the nation’s vital military infrastructure.
Speaking to FCNN about the terrorist attack, military expert Paul Iwugiwei expressed alarm, stating, “It is alarming how terrorists could overrun a military base so easily. It reflects a significant failure on the part of our military and formations,” Iwugiewei said.
“We should not appear weak.,” he went on to say. “This attack demonstrates who holds control, which should not be the case. Where are the air force and other formations located in and around to prevent such shame? Are they all asleep? Military authorities should be ashamed of this. It’s a shameful failure that needs thorough investigation and correction.”
Also interviewed by FCNN, large-scale farmer and Kontagora resident Kolo Bago said, “The areas around the military training base used to be among the most secure in the locality. Farmers could farm without major insecurity, and yields were always abundant. With this current attack on the military base in Kontagora, many farms will be abandoned, and communities will relocate due to fear of kidnapping, killings, or forced labor. With the state assembly addressing this, we hope they will intensify efforts to retake the military base and restore order.”
A military source, speaking anonymously, stated, “We will release a statement once we have full details of the situation. We are currently assessing the situation.”
Stay tuned for details.
