Boko Haram insurgents reportedly killed a serving Nigerian Army Colonel, identified as Colonel I.A. Muhammad, in an ambush following a coordinated overnight attack on a military formation in Monguno, Borno State.

It was learnt that the attack, which involved an explosion, reportedly killed the Colonel instantly on Sunday night, alongside an unspecified number of soldiers accompanying him.

Military sources who confirmed the development to SaharaReporters said the senior officer was killed while leading a reinforcement mission to repel terrorists.

According to the sources, the insurgents launched an attack targeting a Forward Operating Base (FOB) under the 242 Battalion in Mungunu, which falls under Sector 3 of the military’s counter-insurgency operations.

The sources also disclosed that during the attack, insurgents focused their assault on a smaller but critical military position, the FOB, prompting an urgent call for reinforcement.

The source said, “One of our senior commanders, Colonel I.A. Muhammad, was killed last night when Boko Haram attacked Monguno. They also killed some soldiers during the attack.

“The Colonel got information that troops at the FOB were under heavy attack. As a committed commander, he mobilised to lead reinforcement to the location.”

A soldier who also spoke to the aforementioned publication said the Colonel’s convoy drove into a deadly ambush laid by the insurgents, who had planted a remotely detonated explosive device along the route.

The source added, “He did not die inside the camp. He was on his way to support his men when Boko Haram fighters ambushed them with a controlled landmine. It was not the type you step on; it was detonated remotely at the exact moment his vehicle approached.”