By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a multi-pronged attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military formation in Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering weapons and other combat equipment.
The terrorists attacked Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of the state at about 2am on Saturday, August 15, 2026, according to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.
Goni said the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the base from two fronts but were detected by troops through early-warning and surveillance systems.
He said a combat team was immediately deployed to intercept the attackers along one of the advancing routes, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire in which the terrorists were decisively repelled.
According to him, a second group of insurgents attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the military camp but was also met with superior firepower and forced to withdraw in confusion.
The troops subsequently launched a hot pursuit and exploited the contact area and the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, recovering several weapons and other equipment.
“Troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcorder video camera and several other combat enablers,” he said.
Goni added that surveillance footage obtained after the encounter showed the terrorists dragging the bodies of some of their slain colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
He stressed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the encounter.
The Theatre Command commended the troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage, professionalism and tactical effectiveness in repelling the attack, describing the operation as another demonstration of their high state of readiness and aggressive posture.
Operation Hadin Kai, the statement added, remains committed to denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.
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