By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
MONGUNO — A senior officer and eight other soldiers have been killed after Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) militants staged a deadly ambush using multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Monguno, Borno State, Stonix News can report.
The incident unfolded on Sunday night at approximately 10:00 pm, when the terrorists launched an assault on a Forward Operation Base (FOB) belonging to the 242 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. Military sources said the initial attack was swiftly repelled in under an hour.
However, in what security sources described as a calculated move to draw senior commanders into a trap, the commanding officer of the battalion, Colonel Al Mohammed, reportedly moved out with his men to assess the situation at the affected FOB and other positions under his command.
It was during this assessment that the colonel’s convoy was hit by a multiple IED ambush. Colonel Mohammed was killed in the blast alongside eight other soldiers.
“The combined attack resulted in the death of the commanding officer, Colonel Al Mohammed, along with eight other soldiers,” a military source confirmed to Stonix News.
Official statement from Operation Hadin Kai
In an official statement released on Monday, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, described the incident as an isolated infiltration attack on Charlie 13 location in Monguno.
According to the statement signed by Lt Col Uba, troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) came under an isolated Tango terrorist attack on Charlie 13 location in the late hours of 12 April 2026. Following intense fire exchanges, the terrorists were put to flight, with troops maintaining control of the location.
“Regrettably, the Commanding Officer, while courageously proceeding to the troops’ location to personally assess the situation, encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which severely affected his vehicle, leading to his death alongside six other gallant personnel,” the statement read.
The military praised the officer’s actions, noting that “even after the immediate threat had been neutralised, [his actions] reflected the highest traditions of military leadership: courage, selfless service, and leading from the front.”
“His willingness to move towards the troops in the heat of the battle, despite the prevailing danger, stands as a profound testament to his valour, sense of duty, and unwavering commitment to the welfare and operational effectiveness of his men.”
Operation Hadin Kai said it deeply mourns the loss of this exceptional officer and the other brave personnel who paid the supreme price in service to the nation, adding that “their sacrifice will forever remain etched in the memory of the Armed Forces and the grateful nation they served.”
Discrepancy in casualty figures
Stonix News notes a discrepancy in casualty figures: earlier military sources reported the death of the commanding officer alongside eight soldiers, while the official statement from Operation Hadin Kai puts the number at six other personnel.
Drone concerns and calls for advanced technology
In a separate development, another source revealed that in recent months, unidentified drones and aircraft have been observed hovering over parts of the state, raising fresh security concerns.
A security analyst warned that insurgents in the region are becoming increasingly sophisticated and may be benefiting from external support. The Nigerian military has previously raised concerns about the use of advanced armed drones by terrorist groups in the North-East.
There are growing calls for the Federal Government to urgently equip the military with comparable advanced technology to counter the evolving threat.
Stonix News understands that efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the fallen soldiers, while an investigation into the incident has been launched.
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