The Senate on Wednesday praised the bravery of troops under Operation Hadin Kai for confronting insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East, while urging the military to step up operations following a deadly attack on a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Lawmakers also observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers who died during the assault, which was reportedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram fighters.
The resolution came after a motion by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District. He drew the Senate’s attention to the attack that occurred in the early hours of March 9, 2026.
While presenting the motion, Monguno explained that the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on an army base in Kukawa, approaching from different directions and engaging troops in a fierce battle that lasted nearly 24 hours.
He said the clash led to casualties on both sides, including the death of a senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Faru, and several soldiers who were defending the base.
Monguno noted that Faru had played a key role in facilitating the return of residents to Kukawa after the town was previously devastated by insurgents.
He also expressed concern that the attackers destroyed some military vehicles and looted weapons during the assault, describing the incident as part of a worrying resurgence of attacks on military positions in the region.
The senator further disclosed that another attack occurred earlier on Tuesday in Doro, another community in Kukawa Local Government Area, where a soldier was killed during the confrontation with insurgents.
Despite the losses, Monguno commended the courage and sacrifice of the troops and urged the military to intensify counter-insurgency efforts through improved intelligence gathering, better surveillance, and stronger operational capacity.
The motion was seconded by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, who warned that insurgent attacks in the state were rising at an alarming rate and required urgent action.
Lawan revealed that several communities—including Mafa, Baga, and Konduga—had recently experienced attacks that resulted in the deaths of both civilians and military personnel, including senior officers.
Following deliberations, the Senate praised members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially Operation Hadin Kai troops, for their resilience and dedication to protecting communities in the North-East.
Lawmakers also urged the military to strengthen intelligence operations, surveillance systems, and logistics support to effectively combat insurgency and restore peace in the region.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, while speaking on the motion, commended Monguno for raising the issue and acknowledged his support for military efforts in his constituency.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackling the country’s security challenges, noting that insecurity is a global issue affecting many nations.
Barau stressed that addressing the problem requires collective effort and encouraged continued support for initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability across Nigeria.
The latest attack underscores ongoing security concerns in the North-East, where Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai have been fighting insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions for over a decade. Despite sustained military campaigns, sporadic attacks on communities and military installations continue to threaten efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
