Borno: The Nigerian army reported that it successfully thwarted an early Wednesday attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the northeastern state of Borno, resulting in the death of more than 60 fighters, including high-ranking members of the terrorist group.

According to Anadolu Agency, the attack took place at approximately 12:50 a.m. local time in Mallam Fatori, targeting the defensive position of the 68 Battalion. The militants, who advanced from the Duguri area, were supported by armed drones. The army shared this information on the US social media platform X.

The Nigerian troops, after repelling the initial attack, pursued the remaining fighters as they retreated toward Arege. This pursuit was supported by surveillance assets to prevent the militants from regrouping.

This incident comes in the wake of a recent surge in violence attributed to suspected Boko Haram militants, which resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals and injuries to over 100 in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Nigeria has been dealing with persistent threats from armed groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP.

In response, the Nigerian government has been actively deploying troops and collaborating with international allies like the United States to enhance technical support and intelligence sharing. Despite these measures, the security situation remains complex, with overlapping threats from criminal gangs and insurgent entities.