Date: June 30, 2026 l Reporter: Kingston Nwosu
ABUJA, Nigeria — A classified Nigerian military document has reportedly identified 104 soldiers as missing after a deadly Boko Haram attack on a military base in Borno State earlier this month, raising fresh concerns about troop safety and the ongoing insurgency in Nigeria's North-East. The document reportedly lists the soldiers as having absconded with their service rifles following the attack.
According to the document obtained by SaharaReporters, the affected personnel were members of the 162 Amphibious Battalion stationed along the Mandara–Buratai Road in Borno State. The soldiers were declared absent after Boko Haram fighters overran the battalion's position during a pre-dawn assault on June 5, an attack that reportedly left at least eight soldiers dead, including a senior officer, while several others sustained injuries.
The military record reportedly classifies the missing personnel as deserters, stating that they abandoned their duty posts while still in possession of their assigned weapons. The document includes the names and service details of the affected soldiers and directs military formations to arrest them if found.
The attack on the 162 Battalion base was one of the most significant Boko Haram assaults in recent months. Insurgents reportedly launched the operation under the cover of darkness during heavy rainfall, overwhelming the military position before reinforcements could effectively respond. The incident underscored the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), despite years of counter-insurgency operations by Nigerian security forces.
The emergence of the classified document has intensified concerns over the fate of the missing soldiers. While the military document reportedly categorises them as deserters, it remains unclear whether all of the personnel voluntarily fled, became separated during the battle, were captured by insurgents, or were killed in circumstances yet to be confirmed. Military authorities had not publicly addressed those questions at the time of reporting.
Security analysts note that confusion following intense combat operations can sometimes make it difficult to immediately determine the status of personnel, particularly in remote conflict zones where communications are disrupted and recovery operations may take several days. They caution that investigations are typically required before definitive conclusions can be reached regarding missing troops.
The latest revelation comes amid continuing security challenges in Borno State, where Nigerian troops remain engaged in sustained operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Although the military has recorded successes in recent offensives, insurgent groups continue to mount attacks on military formations, ambush patrols, and target rural communities across parts of the North-East.
As of the time of publication, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement confirming or disputing the contents of the leaked document or explaining the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the 104 personnel. The status of the soldiers and their weapons therefore remains a matter of public concern pending further clarification from military authorities.