Feared Killing of Soldiers in Borno Exposes Alarming Questions Over Nigeria’s War on Terror
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over the reported killing of soldiers in a terrorist attack on a military post in Mairari community, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, warning that the incident raises grave questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
HURIWA says the reported attack is a red flag that the military high command must not ignore, dismiss or bury under routine operational explanations.
When terrorists can attack a military formation for more than two hours and soldiers are feared killed, Nigerians deserve urgent answers about what went wrong, what the military knew beforehand and what is being done to prevent a recurrence.
The association warns that the reported incident exposes potentially serious operational vulnerabilities that demand immediate scrutiny by the Chief of Army Staff and other heads of security agencies.
HURIWA insists that Nigeria cannot afford a counter-terrorism campaign in which troops continue to face deadly threats without the nation receiving credible explanations of major operational setbacks and assurances that identified weaknesses will be addressed.
The association says the time has come for the military leadership to subject its battlefield strategies, intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, troop deployment and protection measures to rigorous examination.
The central question is unavoidable: are Nigeria’s current operational approaches delivering the protection and battlefield advantage that soldiers need to confront terrorists effectively?
HURIWA says the Chief of Army Staff and other security chiefs must urgently answer that question through action, not rhetoric.
The reported assault in Mairari, which local sources said lasted more than two hours, demands a comprehensive assessment of how the attackers reached the military position, sustained the attack and whether any intelligence or tactical failures contributed to the outcome.
The association stresses that it is not prejudging the military’s conduct or the circumstances of the attack. However, the gravity of the reported casualties makes a credible investigation and an honest operational assessment imperative.
HURIWA notes that the Chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, Umar Sheriff, reportedly said troops repelled the attackers and that no civilian was killed. However, the actual number of soldiers killed or injured remains unconfirmed.
The association therefore demands a verified account of the incident, including the casualty figures, the circumstances surrounding the attack and the immediate measures being taken to protect troops and nearby communities.
HURIWA will not accept silence as a substitute for accountability on an incident of this magnitude.
The association calls on the military high command to identify and correct any weaknesses uncovered by the incident, strengthen intelligence-led operations, improve force protection and ensure that personnel deployed against terrorists receive the equipment, intelligence and operational support required to perform their duties.
HURIWA also warns that every loss of a soldier represents a devastating human cost to the affected family and the country. Soldiers serving on the front lines deserve more than patriotic tributes after tragedy; they deserve effective planning, responsible command decisions and practical measures that reduce avoidable exposure to danger.
The association says the consequences of failing to learn from battlefield setbacks could extend beyond military casualties, potentially exposing surrounding communities to renewed attacks and undermining public confidence in the national security response.
HURIWA demands an urgent response from the military leadership to the serious operational concerns raised by the reported attack.
The association expects the Chief of Army Staff and relevant security authorities to demonstrate that the incident is receiving urgent attention and that appropriate steps are being taken to establish the facts, assess operational weaknesses and prevent further losses.
HURIWA stresses that this demand is not an attempt to undermine the morale of serving troops. Rather, it is a call to protect the men and women risking their lives to defend Nigeria and to ensure that the institutions responsible for their safety confront difficult questions with the seriousness they deserve.
Nigeria’s war against terrorism cannot be won through slogans, public assurances or the routine announcement that attackers have been repelled. It requires effective intelligence, sound battlefield strategy, operational discipline and the willingness to correct failures wherever they occur.
HURIWA’s position is unequivocal: the nation must not normalise the killing of its soldiers, and no serious operational setback should pass without scrutiny, lessons and corrective action.
The Chief of Army Staff and other security chiefs must act with urgency. The lives of Nigerian soldiers, the safety of vulnerable communities and the credibility of the counter-terrorism campaign demand nothing less.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
15 October 2026
