By Nkechi Eze
A major infiltration attempt by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists targeting the Naval Base at Lake Chad Fish Dam was successfully repelled in the early hours of Wednesday, following a fierce and prolonged joint military operation involving land, maritime, and air forces under Operation Hadin Kai.
Military sources confirmed that the attack began at approximately 2:00 a.m. when a large group of terrorists launched a coordinated assault aimed at sabotaging key assets, particularly newly acquired Swamp Boggeys provided by the Borno State Government for clearing water channels and improving mobility in the Lake Chad area. The Swamp Boggeys, recently deployed to support strategic waterway clearance, were believed to be the primary targets of the insurgents.
The terrorists were met with stiff resistance from personnel stationed at the Naval Base Lake Chad, who immediately engaged them in a heated firefight. The naval personnel, bolstered by swift reinforcements from Baga, fought gallantly in a combat exchange that lasted for more than two hours. According to field reports, the intensity of the battle forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray, abandoning several improvised explosive device (IED) materials and suffering significant casualties in the process.
Although the terrorists failed to penetrate the base or destroy the high-value Swamp Boggeys, the attack did result in limited damage. A military ambulance and two other vehicles were destroyed in the process, and a number of personnel sustained injuries during the operation. The identities and conditions of the wounded troops are yet to be disclosed, though sources suggest they are currently receiving medical attention.
In a decisive follow-up, the Nigerian Air Force, as part of the operation’s air component, launched aerial reconnaissance and pursuit missions across the Lake Chad waterways. Multiple air platforms are reportedly tracking fleeing insurgents with precision-guided strikes aimed at eliminating any remnants of the retreating terrorist cells. This aerial follow-on is part of a broader exploitation mission designed to disrupt terrorist mobility and forestall future regrouping or retaliatory attacks.
Military authorities have hailed the troops’ coordinated response as a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing counterterrorism capability and inter-service synergy. According to a senior military officer involved in the operation, “What we witnessed today is a demonstration of the enhanced readiness of our joint forces, particularly in safeguarding critical national infrastructure and strategic government assets.”
The latest assault underscores the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin, a region that has remained volatile despite sustained counterinsurgency operations. However, security analysts say the attackers’ inability to breach the base or sabotage the Swamp Boggeys is a major blow to their operational objectives.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, through Operation Hadin Kai, continues to conduct aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds, disrupting supply routes, and denying insurgents access to logistical and operational infrastructure across the Northeast.
As cleanup and exploitation operations continue in the aftermath of the attack, the military urges local communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies. It also reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, ensuring the safety of personnel and civilians, and restoring lasting peace to the region.
