ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) gunmen attacked the police station in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area, Borno State. The attackers engaged the police in a gun battle, killing four officers. Some of the victims' bodies were set on fire by the attackers.
2 Feb 2024 · Gajiram, Nganzai, Borno
Deaths
4
Kidnapped
0
Total casualties
4
Perpetrators
ISWAP
Response
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack. Police Public Relations Officer Nahum Daso Kenneth released a statement on Saturday, 3 February 2024, confirming the deaths of four police officers.
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
After being pushed out of major towns, ISWAP continues to use armed assaults to attack security forces and "soft targets". Attacking security outposts is a tactic used by the group to challenge state authority and demonstrate continued operational capacity.
Trajectory
The attack was one of several targeting security forces in northeastern Nigeria in early 2024. It followed a series of IED attacks in January 2024 that caused significant civilian casualties in Borno State. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgents despite government claims of progress.
Cycle notes
Mirrored earlier attacks including 18 July 2019 – Jakana attack involving ambush followed by base assault, 05 August 2019 – Monguno clash targeting a major military and humanitarian hub, 12 December 2019 – Mamuri attack on a militia security post, 07 January 2020 – Monguno assault involving infiltration and destruction of infrastructure, and 14 August 2019 – Polo attack targeting a military base within Maiduguri, collectively reflecting a recurring pattern in which Islamic State West Africa Province conducts direct assaults on security institutions—police stations, military bases, and militia outposts—to degrade frontline security capacity, seize weapons, and symbolically challenge state authority while maintaining operational pressure in northeastern Nigeria.
Pattern
Attack on Security Institutions
Related — Armed Attack
As part of the coordinated Christmas Day terror wave, assailants attacked an evangelical Christian church in Jos, Plateau State. The attackers, who had arrived at the church around 8 a.m., threw improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the church, which damaged some of the fencing. A shootout ensued between the attackers and security agents, and a police officer was reportedly killed in the attack. Three vehicles were damaged and a portion of the church fence was destroyed. The explosives failed to cause a full‑scale blast, and no worshippers were injured. The Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on Media and Publicity, Ayba Pam, commended the swift response of security operatives, which he said prevented the attackers from causing even further damage. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the attacks and a spokesman for the Special Task Force said they would be charged after the holidays.
Gunmen attacked Babanla community in Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State, killing a police inspector and four civilians.
Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents conducted coordinated attacks on scrap metal collectors in Modu and Mugdala communities, Biu Local Government Area, Borno State. A total of 55 people were killed in the attacks, which took place over three weeks. The victims were targeted as they collected scrap metal—a livelihood activity for many displaced and impoverished residents.