At least five soldiers have been killed and six others critically injured after Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists launched a midnight drone attack on a military formation in Rann, the headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, which occurred at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, targeted the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
According to sources, the assailants deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to coordinate the ambush, marking a dangerous escalation in the group’s tactics.
Drone technology used in deadly attack
Military sources confirmed to LEADERSHIP that the coordinated assault left troops overwhelmed.
“We are seriously in a state of confusion. This fresh attack occurred at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Five soldiers lost their lives while six others sustained critical wounds,” a source said.
Residents in the area described the attack as devastating
Babagana Modu, a local from Rann, praised the military’s efforts despite the scale of the attack.
“The terrorists attacked the military outpost with heavy-duty weapons of mass destruction, and the soldiers had to make a tactical withdrawal,” he said.
The Rann ambush came less than 24 hours after ISWAP fighters overran a military base in New Marte, Marte Local Government Area, where soldiers were killed, vehicles destroyed, and ammunition looted.
Within the same 24-hour window, the insurgents also attempted to breach another military post in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area.
However, troops successfully repelled the assault, preventing further casualties.
No official military response yet
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has not released a statement addressing the coordinated series of attacks across Borno State.
The silence comes amid growing concern about the use of drone technology by insurgents and its implications for national security.
Observers have warned that ISWAP’s tactical shift signals a new phase of insurgency that may require a complete overhaul of the current counterterrorism strategy.
