Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a major attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on their base in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly launched the assault around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, targeting the Forward Operating Base in Kangar with armed drones and mortar fire.
A statement by the operation’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the troops, reinforced by the Main Force from Sector 3, fought gallantly and overwhelmed the attackers after hours of intense combat.
“Despite the use of drones and heavy firepower, the soldiers held their ground and displayed exceptional courage and tactical superiority to defeat the assault,” Uba said.
Backed by air support from the Nigerien Air Force, the troops forced the insurgents to retreat into the Tumbun waterways, leaving behind their dead and injured.
Items recovered after the encounter included six bodies of terrorists, five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, over 250 rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, drone bombs, hand grenades, and an Android phone.
Uba added that follow-up airstrikes by the Nigerian and Nigerien air forces killed more fleeing terrorists, while ground troops continued clearance operations in the area.
Some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries and have been evacuated for treatment, the statement said.
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The Defence Headquarters commended the troops for their bravery and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgents and restoring lasting peace in the North East.
