Nigerian Soldiers Killed in Jihadist Raids

At least 65 Nigerian soldiers were killed in jihadist raids across northeastern Nigeria over the past two weeks, following attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants. On March 5 and 6, ISWAP gunmen overran four military bases in Borno state, the insurgency's epicenter. The Punch newspaper reported approximately 40 soldiers died in these specific attacks, though the military disputed the total death toll without providing an alternative figure.

ISWAP militants also abducted 300 civilians, including women and children, during these raids, utilizing advanced equipment such as anti-aircraft machine guns and drones. These incidents occurred despite the Nigerian army's claim of successfully defeating multiple coordinated ISWAP attacks on military locations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa, and Mainok on March 8 and 9.

The ongoing insurgency, which has displaced over 2 million people and spread to the Lake Chad basin, has seen increased international involvement, with 200 U.S. troops arriving last month to train Nigerian counterparts. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict amidst these escalating attacks.