No fewer than 22 Nigerian Army personnel, including a colonel, have been reportedly killed in a midnight ambush by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

The attack, which occurred in Monguno, was said to have targeted troops stationed in the area amid preparations for intensified military operations against insurgent groups.

Sources familiar with the incident identified the deceased senior officer as Colonel I.A. Muhammad, who was serving with the 242 Battalion at the time of the attack.

The assault is believed to be part of renewed offensives by insurgents, who have in recent weeks launched a series of attacks on military formations in the North-East.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, as efforts to obtain confirmation from its spokesperson were unsuccessful.

Footage purportedly showing the aftermath of the attack has also circulated online, although it could not be independently verified.

Security sources noted that the latest development underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the region, with several senior officers reportedly killed in similar attacks within the past fortnight.

President Bola Tinubu had recently reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to intensify efforts to end the long-running insurgency, which has continued to challenge security operations in the North-East since 2009.