By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have foiled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military formation in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack was repelled in the early hours of today Saturday, along the Damboa-Biu road, with the military reporting that several terrorists were killed and a number of weapons and other equipment recovered.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion successfully defended their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau against the attackers.

According to him, the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the military position from two directions at about 2am.

He said troops detected the advancing fighters through early-warning and surveillance systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the groups.

“Contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front,” Mr Goni said.

He added that another group attempted to circumvent the ambush team and infiltrate the military camp but was stopped by troops who responded with superior firepower.

The military spokesman said the coordinated response forced the terrorists to retreat towards the Timbuktu Triangle, with troops immediately launching a pursuit and combing the area and the routes used by the fleeing fighters.

The operation also led to the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles and ammunition, alongside other military hardware, according to the statement.

Other items recovered included a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, a camcorder and other equipment believed to have been used by the terrorists.

Mr Goni said surveillance footage obtained after the encounter showed some of the fleeing terrorists attempting to drag the bodies of their dead colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

He described the operation as another demonstration of the troops’ preparedness and combat capability in confronting terrorist groups operating in the Northeast.

The Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai commended the soldiers of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for what it described as their courage, professionalism and tactical effectiveness in repelling the attack.

The command also reaffirmed its determination to sustain offensive operations against terrorist groups and prevent them from gaining freedom of action across the Northeast.

Operation Hadin Kai, the military said, remains committed to dominating the operational environment and restoring lasting peace and security in the region.