By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled coordinated attacks launched by terrorists against several military locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok in Borno State, neutralising a number of insurgent leaders and fighters during intense overnight engagements.
The attacks, which began at about 10:30 p.m. and continued until around 3:00 a.m., were met with strong resistance from troops who held their ground despite the ferocity of the assaults.
In an official signed statement, the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba, disclosed that the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops’ defensive positions through coordinated strikes across the affected locations.
However, alert and determined soldiers mounted a firm defence and prevented the insurgents from overrunning any of the military bases.
According to the statement, troops executed well-coordinated counter-operations, including simultaneous flanking manoeuvres supported by reinforcement teams deployed from Sectors 1 and 2. The combined response forced the attacking terrorists into disorganised withdrawals after sustaining heavy losses.
“In some isolated instances where sections of the defensive perimeter were temporarily breached, troops swiftly counter-attacked and fully regained control of their positions,” the statement noted.
During the fierce exchanges, several insurgent leaders, including key Amirs commanders within the terrorist hierarchy were neutralised, while a number of other fighters were eliminated during the counter-offensive.
Although some structures within the affected military locations sustained damage during the intense firefights, the military confirmed that all the bases remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
The operation was further reinforced through close coordination with the Air Component of the theatre command. Multiple precision air strikes were conducted overnight against fleeing terrorist elements and identified hostile positions, resulting in the neutralisation of additional insurgents and the destruction of their fighting capabilities.
Following the successful defence of the locations, ground forces have commenced exploitation operations across the affected areas. Troops are currently conducting search operations to recover the bodies of terrorists as well as weapons and other combat equipment abandoned during the retreat.
Despite the operational success, the military confirmed that some soldiers paid the supreme price during the engagements, including a gallant officer who was said to have fought courageously from the frontline while leading his troops against the attackers.
The statement described their sacrifice as a reflection of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to defending the country and protecting innocent citizens from terrorism.
Military authorities noted that the failed attacks highlight the growing desperation of terrorist groups operating in the North-East as they continue to come under sustained operational pressure from security forces across the theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI, the statement added, remains firmly in control of the battlespace as troops continue offensive and defensive operations aimed at eliminating the remaining insurgent threats in the region.
