Authorities in Nigeria have confirmed a series of coordinated attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province militants, marking a significant escalation in the insurgency in the northeast.
Official statements and regional security sources said the attacks targeted both security installations and civilian areas in Borno State, indicating a shift toward more organized and synchronized operations.
In one of the main assaults, heavily armed militants attacked the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters about 80 kilometers north of Maiduguri.
Police reported that the attackers attempted to overrun the town, leading to prolonged clashes that lasted several hours.
Four police officers were killed while defending the facility before reinforcements from the military and local civilian groups repelled the assault.
In a simultaneous attack, another group targeted Damasak near the Niger border, a town hosting thousands of internally displaced persons.
Militants attacked a security post guarding an IDP camp, killing one local volunteer during the confrontation.
They also burned around twenty thatched homes, causing significant damage before security forces forced their retreat.
The attacks come amid a broader surge in violence across Borno State in recent weeks, raising concerns among officials and analysts.
The escalation follows coordinated suicide bombings on March 16 in Maiduguri that killed 27 people and injured 146.
Security experts say insurgents are increasingly using multi location attacks and reintroducing body borne improvised explosive devices in urban areas.
In response, Nigerian forces have intensified air and ground operations, particularly in the Lake Chad basin.
Recent fighting in Mallam Fatori reportedly resulted in the killing of around 80 militants who attempted to attack a military base using drones.
Authorities say the campaign is part of an advanced phase aimed at dismantling militant strongholds.
Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
The latest attacks highlight the persistent instability in northeast Nigeria and the challenges of containing an adaptive insurgency.
