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Nigerian forces successfully repelled an ambush by Islamist militants in Borno State’s Sabon Gari village on Saturday, killing 34 insurgents but suffering six military casualties, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The clash unfolded as troops were returning to base when fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched an attack using motorcycles and gun-mounted trucks, according to military spokesman Major General Edward Buba.

The insurgents were ultimately overpowered by reinforcements from the Civilian Joint Taskforce and local vigilantes.

An intense gunfight ensued, with air support from the Nigerian Air Force targeting retreating militants. Military forces recovered 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of ammunition.

The Sabon Gari base is located 100 kilometers from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri and has faced multiple assaults due to its strategic position. The latest attack underscores the enduring threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP, whose insurgency has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced millions since 2009.

Despite recent losses, officials reiterated their commitment to eradicating insurgency and restoring stability to Nigeria’s northeast.

This marks the second major assault in two months. In November, ISWAP fighters killed five soldiers and injured 10 during a raid in Kareto village near the Niger border.

The violence continues to exacerbate Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis, with millions reliant on aid in the conflict-stricken region.