Troops Repel ISWAP Attack, Kill 12 Terrorists on Nigeria-Cameroon Border

Troops Repel ISWAP Attack, Kill 12 Terrorists on Nigeria-Cameroon Border

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai has repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, killing 12 insurgents during a fierce gun battle in Kirawa, a border community in Borno State near Cameroon.

The operation, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY and the ongoing SIEGE OPERATIONS, took place in the early hours of May 22, 2026, when suspected terrorists launched an assault on a military base in the area.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Sunday, the media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, said troops swiftly detected the attempted infiltration and responded with overwhelming firepower.

According to him, the insurgents attempted to breach positions occupied by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and allied forces along the Nigeria-Cameroon border corridor.

“The attack was swiftly detected and met with overwhelming firepower from alert troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who stood their ground and successfully contained the assault,” Uba stated.

He explained that the terrorists were forced to abandon the operation and retreat toward the Cameroon axis after suffering heavy casualties during the confrontation.

Uba disclosed that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, alongside air support from the air component of Operation Hadin Kai and partner forces, played a major role in the success of the operation.

Following the encounter, troops confirmed the killing of 12 terrorists, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, leaving behind visible blood trails along their withdrawal routes.

Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the fleeing insurgents, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, ammunition belts and a PKT machine gun.

Military authorities said the recovery of the weapons further weakened the operational capability of the terrorist group in the border area.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working closely with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, have continued exploitation and clearance operations in the area to track fleeing terrorists and recover additional equipment.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining pressure on insurgent groups throughout the Northeast until they completely dismantled terrorist activities.

The military high command also commended the troops for what it described as gallantry, professionalism and swift response to the attack, urging them to maintain the momentum in ongoing counterterrorism operations.