The Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base conducted an overnight ISWAP assault on the Gajiram base in the Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, with troops retaining control of the position after inflicting casualties on the attacking force and recovering weapons, ammunition and communication equipment.
The attack, which began at about 12:20 a.m. on 10 August, involved a large number of ISWAP terrorists attempting to overrun the Forward Operating Base. Troops responded with sustained fire that forced the attackers to withdraw, while a subsequent surveillance review confirmed that retreating terrorists evacuated several casualties from the battlefield.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement.
According to the statement, troops recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets during the engagement, with the recovered materials and surveillance footage undergoing further operational assessment.
The encounter nevertheless exposed the intensity of the assault. A temporary breach occurred in part of the defensive position, resulting in damage to some combat enablers and vehicles from Rocket Propelled Grenade fire. A number of troops also sustained injuries and were promptly airlifted for medical treatment, with their condition reported as stable.
The significance of the engagement therefore extends beyond the number of terrorists neutralised. The attempted assault indicates that ISWAP continues to retain the capacity to mount concentrated attacks against fixed military positions in the North-East, while the Army’s response demonstrates the importance of forward bases in absorbing and containing such pressure before it can translate into wider territorial or civilian disruption.
Rather than allowing the attack to create a prolonged security vacuum around Gajiram, troops remained deployed in and around the Forward Operating Base and adjoining areas after the engagement. The objective is to maintain control of the area, dominate likely approaches and prevent the terrorists from exploiting the aftermath of the attack to regroup or launch another assault.
The continuing exploitation of the operational area is also expected to provide additional intelligence on the attacking force, its equipment and the extent of its losses. Surveillance footage showing terrorists evacuating casualties is being subjected to further assessment alongside the recovered weapons and communication equipment.
For residents of Gajiram and surrounding communities, the military has urged calm and continued lawful activity while encouraging the prompt reporting of suspicious movements to security agencies.
The established security reporting line, 07084988859, remains available to support the flow of actionable information to troops.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed that troops will maintain high vigilance around Gajiram and continue offensive and intelligence-driven operations against ISWAP, with the wider objective of preventing terrorist groups from regaining operational freedom and consolidating lasting security across the North-East.
