Suspected Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving soldiers and local vigilantes dead after a pre-dawn raid carried out during heavy rainfall.

Security sources said the attackers struck around 3 a.m. on Friday, taking advantage of poor visibility caused by the downpour as they attempted to force their way into the military installation under the 25 Brigade of Sector 2.

The Nigerian military, under the counter-insurgency operation Operation HADIN KAI, confirmed that troops engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun battle and eventually repelled the assault despite intense pressure.

Officials said five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during the encounter. Several others who sustained injuries were evacuated for treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Military authorities stated that the attackers launched the raid under difficult weather conditions and engaged troops for nearly an hour before being forced to retreat, though some local accounts suggested the base may have come under partial breach during the fighting.

There were also conflicting reports on the total number of casualties, with some military sources claiming more personnel may have been killed or injured beyond the official figures released.

The military maintained that the situation had been brought under control and that follow-up operations were ongoing to track the assailants and secure surrounding communities.