*BENISHIEKH, BORNO* — Armed members of Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, launched a midnight attack on Benishiekh town along the Maiduguri–Damaturu Road late Tuesday.
Security sources said the assault began around 12:15 a.m. when dozens of insurgents stormed the town on motorcycles and gun trucks.
However, troops from Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, swiftly mobilized and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
Residents Flee Amid Sporadic Gunfire
Eyewitnesses told local sources that sporadic gunfire echoed across Benishiekh for over an hour, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes.
“The shooting was heavy. People ran for their lives,” one resident said by phone from Damaturu. “We could hear RPGs and machine guns.”
Meanwhile, commercial vehicles plying the Maiduguri–Damaturu Road were halted for hours as the military cordoned off the area.
Military Response and Casualty Update
In response, ground troops with aerial support repelled the attackers before dawn, military sources confirmed.
In addition, the army said several insurgents were neutralized, though an official casualty figure had not been released at press time.
Furthermore, sources within Operation Hadin Kai stated that troops are conducting a clearance operation to pursue fleeing fighters and secure the highway.
Why Benishiekh Is Targeted
Benishiekh is a strategic town located approximately 72km from Maiduguri on the key Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway.
The town has faced repeated attacks in recent years due to its location on a major supply and travel corridor linking Borno to Yobe and other states.
Consequently, insurgents often target the axis to disrupt movement, loot supplies, and project influence.
Government Reaction
The Borno State Government has not issued an official statement as of Wednesday morning.
Nevertheless, a senior security official who requested anonymity said Governor Babagana Zulumawill be briefed and may visit the area.
Civil society groups are also calling for increased patrols along the Maiduguri–Damaturu Road, describing it as “vulnerable at night.”
Context
The attack comes days after a separate military airstrike on Jilli market and an insurgent raid on a military base in Monguno.
As a result, security analysts say ISWAP and Boko Haram are intensifying operations across Borno ahead of the rainy season.
