Islamic State group-affiliated militants attack military base in Nigeria, killing several soldiers

Abuja, Nigeria (AP) — Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group launched an assault on a military base in Nigeria's northeast region, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers, according to military officials who reported the incident on Wednesday. The attack occurred in the Kukawa area of Borno state, as confirmed by the Nigerian military in a statement.

Despite repelling the assault, troops suffered the loss of 10 soldiers, a senior military official told The Associated Press, conditionally granting anonymity due to the lack of authorization for public statements. Capt. Mohammed Goni, a military spokesperson, stated that the militants, numbering over 25, were killed during a counteroffensive, and weapons were recovered.

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, typically targets military installations in the northeastern part of Nigeria, aiming to acquire weapons and diminish the military's operational capacity. Nigeria has been grappling with a multifaceted security crisis involving Islamic militants and bandit groups for over a decade.