Massive airstrike as Boko Haram Launches Advanced Drones Attack on Nigerian Military Bases in Borno and Yobe
In a chilling escalation of its tactics, the terrorist group Boko Haram launched a coordinated airstrike using armed drones against Nigerian military bases in Borno and Yobe states on December 24, 2024.
The attack targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Wajiroko, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, marking a new phase in the group’s operational strategy.
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According to military sources, the assault began with a conventional attack involving sporadic gunfire, which was repelled by the stationed troops. However, the terrorists quickly shifted to deploying multiple drones laden with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Soldiers on the ground reported hearing the ominous sound of drones overhead, followed by powerful explosions.
One eyewitness recounted: “We initially thought it was a jet. Then we saw drones carrying explosives heading directly towards us. The first explosion was massive.”
A leaked military communication confirmed that four armed drones were deployed in the attack, causing significant damage. A gun truck belonging to the Nigerian Army was destroyed, and five soldiers sustained injuries. The injured personnel were given first aid and are awaiting evacuation for further medical attention.
Military Response and Situation Assessment
The military’s official report described the situation as “calm but highly unpredictable” in the aftermath of the attack. Despite sustaining casualties and equipment damage, the troops reportedly maintained high morale and combat readiness.
The leaked military signal read:
> “AT ABOUT 231300A DEC 24, TERRS LAUNCHED ATTK USING MOR AND OTHER FIRE ARMS ON TPS AT FOB WAJIROKO IN DAMBOA LGA. TPS REPELLED THE ATTK, FORCING TERRS TO WDR IN DISARRAY.
SHORTLY AFTER, AT ABOUT 231323A DEC 24, FOB WAJIROKO CAME UNDER ANOTHER ATTK USING MULTIPLE ARMED DRONES CARRYING LOCALLY FABRICATED GREN.”
The Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement about the attack, continuing its pattern of underreporting incidents involving insurgent forces.
A New Dimension of Terror
Boko Haram’s use of drones signifies a troubling advancement in its arsenal and operational capabilities. Previously, the group relied on conventional tactics, such as ambushes and suicide bombings. This technological leap poses a significant threat to the military and the civilian population in the northeastern region.
For nearly two decades, Nigeria has struggled to contain the insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The conflict has claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Despite government assurances that the insurgents have been “largely defeated,” this attack underscores their ongoing ability to innovate and execute high-profile operations. The incident also highlights the need for enhanced surveillance, counter-drone measures, and a more proactive approach to addressing the root causes of the insurgency.