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Nigeria Says Troops Repelled Mallam Fatori Base Assault, Killing Dozens of Militants

The overnight attack near the Niger border followed deadly Maiduguri suicide blasts, pointing to a coordinated escalation by jihadist factions.

Overview

  • Soldiers backed by air support turned back a coordinated assault on the Mallam Fatori base around 12:50 a.m. Wednesday, according to the army.
  • The military reported 60 to 80 attackers killed, including several commanders, figures that differ across statements and have not been independently verified.
  • Authorities said the assailants were suspected Boko Haram or ISWAP fighters who advanced in large numbers and reportedly used armed drones.
  • The Nigerian Air Force carried out strike operations, with officials also citing allied support from neighboring Niger; four soldiers were injured with no deaths reported.
  • The base attack came days after three suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri that killed at least 23 to 25 people and wounded more than 100, with no claim of responsibility.