Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a joint security post near Muna in Borno State, killing an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and injuring several soldiers attached to the 195 Battalion, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The attack, according to multiple immigration sources, occurred around 2:00 a.m. on November 30 when militants stormed the “Charly Company” location and opened fire on personnel stationed at the post. Reinforcement teams were deployed shortly after, forcing the attackers to withdraw into the surrounding bush.
The slain officer has been identified as Assistant Immigration Officer II Lucky, a member of NIS Batch 13 deployed under Operation Hadin Kai.
“Immigration officers are not trained for frontline combat,” one source said, expressing concern over their continued deployment to high-risk combat zones.
Another NIS officer, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, described the deployment as “dangerous and unfair,” noting that immigration personnel lack the level of training and equipment provided to the military.
“Imagine immigration officers being used in frontline battles with Boko Haram when we are not trained like soldiers,” the source said. “We are given only two magazines to defend ourselves. How do they expect us to survive?”
Another officer said the latest attack was “one too many,” noting that the current deployment has suffered several casualties.
“This batch alone has lost nearly four men in this operation,” he said. “We are overstretched, under-equipped, and increasingly vulnerable.”
Officers are now calling on the Comptroller General of Immigration to urgently intervene and review the deployment strategy for NIS personnel in conflict zones.
“The Comptroller General must come to our aid,” a senior officer stated. “Immigration is not a combat force. We support operations, but we should not be placed directly in harm’s way.”
Some officers also alleged favoritism in duty assignments, accusing certain senior officials of shielding preferred personnel from frontline postings.
“The CG should caution his G1 and admin,” one officer alleged. “It appears some people are being protected while the rest of us face the toughest assignments. We will return to that issue.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to release an official statement on the attack. Attempts to reach the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages seeking comment were not returned.
Security operations have since been intensified in the Muna axis, a well-known hotspot for insurgent activity on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
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