Troops Repel ISWAP Assaults, Neutralise 10 Insurgents in Borno–Yobe Corridor

Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed 10 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after repelling coordinated attacks on military positions across parts of Borno and Yobe states.

The encounters occurred between February 28 and March 1, 2026, along the Gajiram–Gajigana–Mayanti–Dadinjel axis, where insurgents attempted simultaneous assaults on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Lake Chad region.

In a statement issued Monday in Maiduguri, OPHK’s Media Information Officer, Lt-Col. Sani Uba, said the troops successfully foiled multiple offensives targeted at military formations in Mayanti, Gajigana, Gajiram and Dadinjel.

“Our troops once again demonstrated exceptional resilience and battlefield dominance by decisively frustrating coordinated ISWAP attacks on our Forward Operating Bases,” Uba said.

He explained that the assaults, launched late on February 28 and continuing into the early hours of March 1, reflected mounting pressure on insurgent enclaves and supply routes due to sustained military offensives.

According to him, soldiers at Gajigana maintained firm control of their defensive positions after pushing back the attackers, while intense gun battles in Mayanti and Gajiram led to heavy casualties on the insurgents’ side and the seizure of significant weapons.

Detailing the Mayanti incident, Uba disclosed that the base came under heavy fire from a large number of fighters on February 28. Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground until reinforcements arrived.

“The reinforcement team navigated through ambushes and improvised explosive device threats to overpower the terrorists,” he said.

Military exploitation of the area reportedly led to the recovery of five bodies and an array of arms, including three PKT anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 launchers, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, several rocket-propelled grenades and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition. Bloodstains along escape routes suggested additional casualties among the fleeing insurgents.

In a separate incident at about 1:15 a.m. on March 1, terrorists armed with heavy weapons and drones attacked the Gajiram base but were repelled with support from fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force. Three more insurgent bodies were recovered along their withdrawal path.

Other items retrieved after the Gajiram encounter included four AK-47 rifles, anti-tank explosives, locally fabricated mortar bombs, an armed drone, loaded ammunition magazines, barbed wire cutters and other combat equipment abandoned during the retreat.

The statement noted that one officer lost his life during the operations, while a wounded soldier was airlifted by a military helicopter to a hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, under Sector 2’s ongoing offensive tagged Operation Desert Sanity V, troops engaged fleeing insurgents at Kayawa village, forcing them to abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles. Soldiers also dismantled identified support structures and arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers. Medical supplies and drugs allegedly used to treat wounded fighters were recovered during the raid.

Uba reaffirmed that the sustained operations across the Lake Chad region and Sambisa axis are aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement and dismantling their operational networks.

“OPHK remains committed to maintaining offensive momentum until lasting peace and security are fully restored in the northeast,” he said.

UK, Germany Renew Backing for Nigeria’s Counter-Terror War

The governments of the United Kingdom and Germany have reiterated their readiness to continue supporting Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

The renewed pledge was conveyed during a visit by the two countries’ Defence Attachés to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

In a statement released on Thursday, the media information officer of the operation, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed that the UK Defence Attaché, Brig. Gen. Tom Harper, and his German counterpart, Col. Boris Bovecamp, used the occasion to reaffirm their nations’ commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in tackling security threats.

According to the statement, the visit marked a significant engagement between the foreign defence representatives and the theatre command of Operation Hadin Kai. The envoys expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the Northeast region.

Uba noted that Brig. – Gen. Harper spoke of the long-standing ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, describing the relationship as one built on mutual respect and shared values.

He added that the British envoy underscored the importance both nations attach to upholding democratic principles, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law, even as they confront the challenges posed by terrorism.

The visit, military sources say, further reflects growing international collaboration aimed at supporting Nigeria’s determination to defeat insurgency and secure lasting peace in affected communities.

Boko Haram Raiders Hit Auno, Kukareta in Twin Night Attacks

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Friday night launched coordinated attacks on Auno in Borno State and Kukareta in Yobe State, targeting military positions and vulnerable spots along the busy Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.

Security sources confirmed in Maiduguri on Saturday that dozens of armed fighters reportedly emerged from the southern fringes of the Sambisa Forest, striking the two communities and military checkpoints positioned along the strategic corridor linking the neighbouring states.

Despite the intensity of the assaults, the sources said the attacks were successfully repelled by troops on the ground, forcing the insurgents to retreat towards the Sasawa forest axis in Yobe State.

“There were no casualties recorded among the troops or civilians in the twin incidents,” a military source disclosed, attributing the outcome to the swift response of security personnel stationed in the affected areas.

Further findings indicate that the attacks may be linked to sustained military pressure within the Sambisa Forest, where intensified ground and aerial counter-terrorism operations are said to be disrupting insurgent hideouts and supply routes.

According to security officials, the ongoing operations have compelled surviving fighters to flee the forest enclave and attempt hit-and-run attacks on soft targets, particularly along the 132-kilometre Maiduguri–Damaturu road.

Interestingly, residents of nearby communities, such as Benisheikh, Mainok, and Jakana, were reportedly unaware of the attacks until alerts were received from military formations in the affected locations.

“It was an emergency report from our military post that drew attention to the Friday night attacks on Auno and Kukareta,” one of the sources said.

Security agencies have since maintained heightened surveillance along the highway, ensuring residents and travellers continued protection as operations against insurgent elements intensify across the region.