Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated attack by (ISWAP) terrorists on a forward operating base in Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents in a fierce counter-offensive that spanned multiple fronts.
The attack on the base in Mandaragirau, which began in the early hours of Saturday, was met with a decisive response from ground troops and close air support.
Military sources report that the terrorists were forced into a disorderly withdrawal after engaging with well-coordinated defensive and offensive manoeuvres by the Joint Task Force (North East).
In the aftermath of the fighting, troops pursuing the fleeing insurgents discovered evidence of significant losses.
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A total of 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered at the initial engagement site.
Further human intelligence from local sources indicates that more than 30 additional bodies and a cache of abandoned weapons are scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis, leading towards the Timbuktu Triangle, a known militant hideout.
Recovered items from the scene include seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, and assorted ammunition.
According to an official statement by the Media Information Officer for the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Nigerian military suffered no fatalities during the encounter.
One Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by an RPG, but personnel injured in the strike have since been stabilised.
“The scale of enemy losses has triggered widespread jubilation among local communities
“This underscores the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.” Colonel Uba explained
The military high command has commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo to ensure the security of the North East region.
Exploitation operations are reportedly ongoing along the withdrawal routes to further consolidate the gains made during the confrontation.