Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed a Forward Operations Base (FOB) commander with the rank of Major, three Nigerian soldiers and a local hunter during a late-night attack on a military formation in Mayanti, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, military sources say.

The attack, reported to have occurred on Sunday night into Monday March 2, 2026, targeted troops deployed in the area as part of ongoing operations to counter terrorism in the northeast, officials told journalists. The Major identified as IU Mairiga was the commander at the Forward Operations Base, and he died along with the three soldiers in the initial assault. A local hunter who was assisting troops as a guide or informant was also killed in the raid.

Nigeria news.A spokesperson for Operation HADIN KAI, the Joint Task Force in the North East, confirmed that troops were engaged in sustained counter-terror operations across the region, particularly around FOBs in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, where militants repeatedly tried to exploit gaps in security. The task force said that in recent days it had repelled several coordinated attacks while working to restore control in vulnerable communities.

Africa.comWhile troops were able to repel some of the insurgent advances, the deadly strike in Mayanti resulted in the loss of the senior officer and men, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and allied elements in Borno State despite ongoing military pressure. Security analysts say that the militants continue to adapt their tactics, often launching surprise attacks on isolated bases and patrol units to inflict casualties and undermine morale.

Authorities say investigations into the incident are ongoing and efforts are underway to recover the bodies and strengthen defensive positions as part of broader strategy to secure the area and protect both military personnel and civilians.