Maiduguri / Banki, Nigeria — 24 September 2025 — In a dramatic revelation, surveillance footage from the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division, Maiduguri, appears to show Boko Haram militants approaching the 152 Task Force Battalion in Banki, Borno State — while operators in the surveillance room allegedly failed to alert soldiers on the ground.
What the Footage Shows
According to Dalena Reporters, the video, purportedly taken from CCTV cameras monitored at the 7th Division’s operations room, shows hundreds of armed militants advancing in formation toward the military base late at night.
The terrorists are seen walking in a straight line toward the base, with the footage suggesting a clear view of their movement before what local sources say was a coordinated attack.
Despite this apparently clear view of the approaching militants, sources quoted by Sahara Reporters allege that no warning was issued to troops stationed at Banki. One soldier, speaking anonymously, expressed outrage:
“They sat there comfortable in the CCTV room watching … while we have a lot of casualties.”
He also questioned why higher military echelons — such as the Air Force or artillery units — were not alerted when the militants were clearly visible from the footage.
The soldier further claimed that the Base Commanding Officer fled with his orderly and driver across the border into Cameroon during or immediately after the attack, leaving troops vulnerable.
Scale of the Attack & Losses
During the assault, Boko Haram militants are reported to have killed an undetermined number of soldiers, burnt armored vehicles, destroyed military hardware, and looted ammunition stores.
The 152 Battalion, based in Banki, is part of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency effort under Operation Hadin Kai in northeastern Nigeria.
The attack reportedly occurred at midnight, catching the base off guard and dislodging its defenders.
Broader Context & Implications
Nigeria has been fighting Boko Haram and related insurgent groups in its northeast for nearly 20 years, particularly in the states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. The conflict has claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions.
Over time, frontline soldiers have repeatedly raised concerns about poor leadership, inadequate intelligence, and insufficient support from higher command. The latest incident, if verified, suggests a critical breach in real-time operations — namely, that surveillance assets were not translated into actionable alerts to protect troops.
Military authorities have not (as of this writing) publicly responded to these specific allegations regarding inaction in the watchroom or the fleeing of command staff.
What to Watch
- Whether the Nigerian Army will investigate lapses in the chain of command, especially the inaction of the surveillance operations room.
- If accountability is assigned to officers who allegedly failed to issue warnings or respond to visible threats.
- Whether this incident changes protocols or leads to reforms in how surveillance intelligence is integrated with field operations.
- The impact on troop morale and public confidence, especially in Borno State, where communities are already heavily affected by recurring violence.