38 ISWAP Fighters Killed as Troops Foil Midnight Assault on Borno Base 

38 ISWAP Fighters Killed as Troops Foil Midnight Assault on Borno Base

By Jamila Muhmmad

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai has successfully repelled a coordinated attack launched by suspected ISWAP fighters on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing dozens of insurgents and recovering weapons during the fierce encounter.

The military said the attempted invasion happened in the early hours of Saturday, when the terrorists launched a multi-directional assault on the base.

In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt-Col Sani Uba, the troops responded swiftly with what he described as a “well-coordinated offensive and defensive action”, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.

He explained that the air component of the operation played a crucial role during the battle by providing close air support as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, which helped troops to strike accurately at the fleeing insurgents.

According to him, the troops did not only repel the attack but also pursued the terrorists along their withdrawal routes, inflicting further casualties in the process.

The military reported that the operation neutralised at least 38 insurgents, and they recovered eight bodies around the immediate scene of the clash.

It added that intelligence gathered from residents and other local sources indicated that over 30 more bodies of the terrorists, along with abandoned weapons, were seen along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere corridor stretching into the notorious Timbuktu Triangle.

The statement noted that blood stains and abandoned combat items found along the escape routes suggested that the fleeing terrorists suffered heavy losses during the pursuit.

Weapons and other items recovered after the operation included seven AK-47 rifles, eight loaded magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade bombs and various calibres of ammunition.

The military also disclosed that no soldier was killed during the encounter, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was struck by rocket fire. Some personnel sustained injuries but were said to have been treated and stabilised.

Operation Hadin Kai said the successful defence of the base has further strengthened confidence among residents in surrounding communities and reaffirmed the military’s determination to deny insurgents any foothold in the North-East.

The statement added that troops are still carrying out follow-up clearance operations in the area to recover more weapons and exploit the gains recorded during the battle.

It also revealed that the military high command had praised the troops for their bravery and resilience, urging them to sustain the momentum in ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the region.