Boko Haram terrorists, riding in a military camouflage gun truck, invaded the Molai area of Maiduguri on Saturday evening. They opened fire on a military formation, sparking a fierce shootout with troops. The exchange resulted in the deaths of three soldiers. A military colonel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the casualties, adding that the terrorists also suffered losses.
11 Apr 2021 · Molai, Maiduguri, Borno
Deaths
3
Injured
0
Kidnapped
0
Total casualties
3
Perpetrators
Boko Haram
Response
A reinforcement team of military and mobile police was deployed, and calm was restored to the area. The terrorists attempted to overrun a military formation but were repelled
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
The use of a military camouflage gun truck allowed the insurgents to approach the city undetected, highlighting their ability to adapt their tactics for urban attacks. This attack on a military formation in a major city underscores Boko Haram's continued capacity to strike beyond their rural strongholds, challenging government claims of security.
Trajectory
This attack demonstrated the sustained operational capacity of Boko Haram and its ISWAP faction, directly contradicting official claims that the insurgency had been "largely defeated." The use of a military camouflage vehicle was a notable tactic, as it had been employed in previous attacks to lower the defenses of security forces
Cycle notes
Mirrored earlier insurgent attacks including 07 January 2020 – Monguno infiltration using a convoy disguised as military vehicles, 14 July 2018 – Jilli base infiltration exploiting deception tactics, 06 January 2021 – Geidam attack involving stealth entry and coordinated positioning, 01 March 2021 – Dikwa assault where troops were initially overwhelmed, and 09 April 2021 – Kwapre raid involving the use of military-style vehicles and prolonged occupation, collectively reflecting a recurring pattern in which Boko Haram employs deception tactics—such as military camouflage, impersonation, and disguised vehicles—to infiltrate target areas, reduce early resistance, and launch surprise attacks even within urban centers like Maiduguri, thereby exposing vulnerabilities in identification systems and urban security defenses.
Pattern
Military Camouflage Tactic
Related — Armed Attack
Suspected thugs carried out violent attacks in Kurna Kan Mayanka community, Dala LGA, Kano State, killing three people within 24 hours.
Suspected Boko Haram / ISWAP insurgents, on foot and in several trucks fitted with machine guns, launched an attack on Nigerian soldiers stationed outside the town of Wulgo. Cameroonian soldiers deployed from across the border to assist their Nigerian counterparts. The ensuing gunfight lasted about 40 minutes
Just before 7:00 pm, at the start of the nighttime curfew imposed after the 20 January “Kano Blitz”, a group of gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram militants attacked the Rijiyar Zaki police station in the Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano city. The assailants arrived on motorcycles and in an all-terrain van, opened fire on the police station for several minutes, and shouted “Allahu Akbar”. Two policemen were feared dead, lying in pools of blood. The attack was brief, lasting no more than five minutes.