ISWAP Attack on Army Base in Adamawa: What We Know
ISWAP has claimed responsibility for an attack on Adamawa’s Garahamojili military camp, which killed soldiers and a civilian, and forced locals to flee.
Terrorists attacked the Garahamojili military camp in Garaha, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, in northeastern Nigeria, on Saturday, Feb. 21. Alison Hassan, a resident of the community, told HumAngle that the attack, which began around 11 p.m., lasted about an hour, as the terrorists engaged the soldiers in a fierce gun battle.
Although the Nigerian Army is yet to release an official statement regarding the attack or the number of casualties, residents say three soldiers were killed in the exchange, while several others were severely injured. HumAngle contacted Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the Adamawa State Police Command spokesperson, but he declined to comment on the situation.
Locals said that during the confrontation, a bullet landed inside a neighbouring house and struck a young woman. Chinapi Agara, a relative of the deceased, told HumAngle that she was the only civilian from the community to lose her life, as the terrorists were focused on the military base. “She was 20 years old. We buried her yesterday [Sunday, Feb. 22],” he said.
Chinapi also noted that the camp was set ablaze, forcing some of the soldiers to flee.
“The community wasn’t burnt, but the camp and three houses close to the camp were burnt, including two armoured tanks and their excavator,” Alison added.
According to Musa Simeon, a local vigilante, several attacks had been launched against the military base in the past, but none had been successful until Saturday’s incident. While locals are unsure of the terrorists’ identities, Musa said several armed groups have terrorised the area over the past decade. “Boko Haram, Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), and kidnappers, so we don’t know which one is responsible for now,” Musa said.
ISWAP reportedly released visual evidence and has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Several locals have lost their lives in the insurgency since it began in 2014. “We are close to the Borno border. Lots of communities like Kopure, Gabba, Lar and others have been completely displaced,” Chinapi added. Similarly, communities within Garaha have experienced a surge in kidnappings within the area in the last few years, forcing many to flee.
While calm has been restored in the area since Saturday’s incident, Alison noted that residents are deserting the area. “We are seriously in trouble because once it’s evening, people leave their houses to go and sleep somewhere. Some sleep in people’s houses inside town, and those of us who don’t have anywhere to go to sleep with our eyes open,” he said.
Residents who spoke to HumAngle called on the government to tighten security around the area as people are currently living in fear.
ISWAP claimed responsibility for attacking the Garahamojili military camp in northeastern Nigeria's Adamawa State on February 21.
The attack resulted in the death of three soldiers and a civilian, causing panic and displacement among locals. During the assault, the camp and nearby houses were set ablaze, though the army has not yet confirmed casualties. While ISWAP released proof of their involvement, confusion remains about the perpetrators, with past aggressions involving groups like Boko Haram.
The incident escalated the existing turmoil in the region, marked by prolonged insurgency since 2014. Many communities around the Borno border have been displaced, and kidnappings in Garaha have surged, driving people away.
Though peace returned after the attack, fear persists, causing residents to flee nightly for safety, urging government intervention for enhanced security.
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