Deadly Counterattack: 38 Terrorists Wiped Out As Troops Crush ISWAP Assault in Borno.
A fierce overnight battle in Borno State ended in a major blow to insurgents, as troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled an attempted attack and eliminated dozens of fighters.
The failed assault was launched by Islamic State West Africa Province on a military base in Mandaragirau, but soldiers on ground quickly turned the tables with a coordinated and decisive response.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force (North East), the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday at a Forward Operating Base in Sector 2.
Troops reportedly engaged the insurgents using a mix of ambush strategies and heavy defensive firepower, forcing them into a chaotic retreat. Air support units also played a crucial role, providing surveillance and precision backing during the operation.
The military described the attack as poorly executed, noting that its forces were well-prepared and responded with a calculated offensive that overwhelmed the attackers.
Follow-up operations along escape routes further compounded the insurgents’ losses. In total, about 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered at the scene, while local intelligence confirmed over 30 more casualties along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere corridor stretching into the Timbuktu Triangle.
Troops also recovered a cache of weapons abandoned by the fleeing fighters, including seven AK-47 rifles, magazines, rocket-propelled grenades, and ammunition.
Despite the intensity of the clash, no soldier was killed. However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by RPG fire, and injured personnel were swiftly treated and stabilised.
The military said the outcome has boosted morale among local communities, many of whom celebrated the development as a sign of continued progress in the fight against insurgency.
Operations are still ongoing in the area, with troops pushing further to clear remnants of the fleeing fighters and secure the region.
