By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and recovering weapons during the engagement.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026, when the terrorists attempted what military authorities described as a “half-hearted” assault on the base located within Sector 2 of the theatre of operations.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the troops responded swiftly with a coordinated ambush and an offensive-defensive manoeuvre that overwhelmed the attackers and forced them into a chaotic retreat.
According to the statement, the ground troops received crucial support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, which provided close air support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) feedback to enable targeted kinetic strikes against the fleeing terrorists.
The military disclosed that the combined ground and air operations resulted in heavy casualties among the insurgents. A total of 38 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.
“Eight bodies were recovered within the immediate engagement area, while human intelligence from local residents confirmed that more than 30 additional terrorist bodies and weapons were seen scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis stretching into the Timbuktu Triangle,” the statement said.
Troops conducting exploitation along the withdrawal routes observed blood trails and abandoned equipment believed to belong to the fleeing insurgents, indicating the scale of the damage inflicted during the engagement.
The troops also recovered several weapons and ammunition from the scene, including seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, and assorted ammunition.
Despite the intensity of the attack, the troops recorded no fatalities. However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by RPG fire during the engagement, while injured personnel were promptly stabilised.
Military authorities said the successful defence of the base has sparked widespread jubilation among residents of surrounding communities who have continued to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
The statement noted that the scale of losses inflicted on the insurgents further demonstrates the sustained dominance of Operation Hadin Kai troops in denying terrorists freedom of action across the theatre.
Troops are currently conducting further exploitation operations along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis at the fringes of the Timbuktu Triangle to recover additional terrorist bodies, clear the area of remaining threats, and consolidate the gains recorded during the operation.
