Borno, Nigeria – January 5, 2026
In a shocking escalation of violence in Nigeria’s North-East, nine Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead and several others critically injured following the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Boko Haram near Gubio in Borno State.
According to a top military source who spoke exclusively to SUNTV Global on Monday morning, the soldiers were returning from Maiduguri town on Saturday when the deadly incident occurred. “The soldiers had stopped at a camp along the road to rest and continue their journey on Sunday. It was at this point that the explosives went off,” the source explained.
The source clarified that the explosion was not an ambush by gunmen, but a carefully planted device designed to inflict maximum damage. “It was caused by explosive devices, not an ambush,” he said, emphasizing the brutal nature of the attack.
Following the blast, eight soldiers died on Sunday from their injuries, while another succumbed on Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to nine. Several others sustained serious injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities, with the source warning that the number of fatalities may rise further.
Photographs and video footage obtained by SUNTV Global show the devastating aftermath of the explosion. Scenes captured in the visuals reveal soldiers lying lifeless, some with severe blast injuries and severed body parts, underscoring the ferocity of the attack. The images reflect the high-risk environment in which Nigerian troops operate in Borno, a state that continues to be at the center of insurgent violence.
The source further confirmed that the affected soldiers were part of the 145 Damasak unit under the 5 Brigade, Maiduguri, and the attack occurred in the evening hours of Sunday, a time when military patrols often move between strategic locations.
This incident is the latest in a string of deadly attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, who have continued to target Nigerian troops with both gun attacks and explosive devices. These attacks have created persistent insecurity along major roads and military routes in the North-East, undermining efforts to stabilize the region.
SUNTV Global recalls a similar deadly attack in November 2025, when suspected ISWAP fighters ambushed a Nigerian military convoy in northeastern Nigeria, killing multiple soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). During that attack, the insurgents were reported to have abducted a serving Brigade Commander along with other military personnel, highlighting their growing capability to carry out coordinated assaults on military targets.
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the Gubio explosion, leaving questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack and the security measures in place. Meanwhile, the military source stressed the need for heightened vigilance, noting that insurgents continue to operate with deadly sophistication in the region.
This attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, who continue to challenge Nigeria’s military forces and destabilize communities in Borno and other North-Eastern states. The impact of these attacks extends beyond the battlefield, affecting the morale of soldiers, the safety of civilians, and the overall security environment in the region.
SUNTV Global will continue to monitor developments closely and provide real-time updates as more information emerges regarding the identities of the fallen soldiers, the condition of the injured, and any official response from the Nigerian Army.
For viewers in Nigeria and across the globe, this serves as a critical update on the ongoing security challenges in the North-East, highlighting the sacrifices of our military personnel as they continue to defend the nation against insurgent attacks.
