Suspected Boko Haram terrorists killed four soldiers and a female civilian during a coordinated ambush in Borno State on Wednesday.

This comes just days after Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah was killed in an overnight coordinated attack on April 8-9, 2026 in a military base in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area, Borno State.

The latest attack occurred in Mussa ward, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, where troops engaged insurgents in a fierce gun battle.

Chairman of the council, Mada Saidu, confirmed the incident and the casualties during a briefing on Thursday.

“There was an attack at Mussa ward yesterday afternoon. They killed one civilian, a lady, and four soldiers,” he said.

The fallen troops were members of the 115 Task Force Battalion, a unit deployed to secure southern Borno communities.

Their position at the town’s entry point placed them directly in the path of the advancing attackers.

“Four of our troops belonging to the 115 Task Force Battalion were killed while ensuring that the terrorists did not gain entrance into the town,” a military source said.

Coordinated Ambush At Mussa Ward

Residents described the assault as sudden and organised, with gunfire erupting in the early afternoon.

“The insurgents were not many, but it was a coordinated attack intended to infiltrate the town,” a source said.

The exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted about 30 minutes, forcing residents to flee their homes.

“We were hearing serious gunshots, and many people began to flee their homes at exactly 12pm yesterday,” a resident said.

Despite the losses, troops prevented the attackers from breaching the town’s inner areas.

This defensive stand limited further casualties and damage to property within the community.

Mussa ward lies close to the Sambisa Forest, a long-standing operational base for Boko Haram fighters.

The terrain gives insurgents tactical mobility and concealment, complicating military surveillance efforts.

Nigeria allocates over 15% of its national budget to defence, funding operations against insurgent groups.

However, attacks like this continue to test the effectiveness of these security investments.

Rising Insecurity In Southern Borno

Security operations intensified after the attack, with troops conducting follow-up patrols in surrounding areas.

According to reports by Punch, the military wants to secure the perimeter and prevent further incursions.

“If not for the military’s defence, they had intended to enter our community that afternoon to cause massive destruction,” a community member said.

Askira/Uba remains a high-risk zone due to its proximity to forest corridors used by insurgents.

These routes enable quick strikes and retreats, making them difficult to fully neutralise.

The local government has begun providing support to the family of the deceased civilian.

Meanwhile, reinforcements have been deployed to strengthen the position of the 115 Task Force Battalion.

The attack adds to a growing pattern of targeted raids in southern Borno communities.