The Nigerian Army has reportedly declared 104 soldiers deserters after they allegedly abandoned their duty posts and fled with their personal weapons following an attack by suspected ISWAP fighters on a military base in Borno State.
The development follows the June 5 assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area, where terrorists reportedly killed five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) during a pre-dawn attack.
According to an internal military signal reportedly obtained by The Whistler, the affected personnel were attached to the 162 Amphibious Battalion, headquartered in Mandaragirau. The document, dated June 13, 2026, alleged that the soldiers left their deployment immediately after the attack and have yet to return.
The signal, referenced 162 AMPH BN/G1/300/02 and signed by Lt. P. I. Ndubuisi on behalf of the Commanding Officer, stated that the personnel absconded to unknown locations with their assigned weapons following what it described as a “BHT/ISWAP attack on own location.”
According to the document, the soldiers have now been officially declared deserters pending their return or further military action. The communication was reportedly forwarded to the Headquarters, 25 Brigade, while Headquarters Sector 2 (North-East) was copied for information.
The list includes officers and soldiers of various ranks, including staff sergeants, sergeants, corporals, lance corporals and privates serving with the battalion. The internal document also alleged that all 104 personnel left with their personal firearms, a claim that, if confirmed, could raise fresh security concerns.
Neither the Nigerian Army Headquarters nor the Defence Headquarters has publicly confirmed the authenticity of the leaked military signal or commented on the reported declaration of desertion as of the time of filing this report.
The incident comes amid renewed attacks by insurgent groups in Nigeria’s North-East, where security forces continue to battle Boko Haram and ISWAP despite years of military operations aimed at degrading the terrorist organisations.
