A major in the Nigerian Army has been killed following an attack on a military patrol by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar LGA of Borno State.

This nis according to TheCable, which quoted sources as disclosing that the officer, who commanded the Damasak military base, was leading a foot patrol of about 30 soldiers early on Friday when the team came under explosives and gun attack by the insurgents.

The assault forced the soldiers to disperse. While eight officers later returned to base, 22 soldiers were initially unaccounted for, including the commanding officer, the portal reported yesterday evening, Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

“From I gathered the commander of the Damask base led a foot patrol of 30 troops early on Friday. They came under explosives and gun attack from ISWAP, forcing them to disperse. Only eight soldiers returned to base while 22 are unaccounted for, including the commander, a major,” TheCable quoted a source as saying.

“Someone answers his phone each time his base tries to reach him, indicating he is in the hands of ISWAP,” the source added.

The Nigerian Army did not immediate comment on the development.

It would be recalled that, last year, M. Uba, a brigadier general, was killed by ISWAP fighters following an ambush on a convoy of soldiers and operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno state.

The terrorists ambushed the troops on at Damboa Road, along Wajiroko in Borno, as they transported military equipment. (TheCable)