By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, delivering a significant blow to the group’s operational capability in the area.
The failed assault, which began late on Friday, 12 December 2025, and stretched into the early hours of Saturday, 13 December 2025, was thwarted through coordinated ground and air operations by OPHK troops, supported by other security and local defence elements.
Disclosing details of the operation in an official signed statement, the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in a bid to breach the defensive perimeter.
According to him, both VBIEDs were promptly detected and neutralised by the vigilant troops before they could penetrate the base. “The timely detection and destruction of the VBIEDs by our troops prevented any breach of the FOB,” he stated.
CCTV footage and field observations following the encounter confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the exchange, while others sustained serious injuries. Survivors of the attack were observed evacuating their dead and wounded as they fled the area.
In the aftermath of the failed assault, troops of OPHK Sector 3, in conjunction with the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), carried out a detailed exploitation of the general area. The follow-up operation led to the discovery of multiple terrorist casualties as well as the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and logistics abandoned during the hasty retreat.
Items recovered included AK-47 rifles, magazines and assorted ammunition, PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, combat gear, medical supplies, and other materials indicative of sustained terrorist operations in the area. The recoveries, the statement noted, have further degraded the terrorists’ operational capacity and denied them freedom of action around Mairari.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba further explained that the two neutralised VBIEDs were destroyed by OPHK defensive fire, resulting in damage to two points along the road. He, however, emphasised that there was no breach of the FOB at any point during the attack, underscoring the preparedness, vigilance, and resilience of the troops.
He added that troops are currently conducting aggressive patrols in and around the area to forestall any further terrorist activity and to reassure local communities of the continued presence and commitment of security forces.
“The failed attack at Mairari underscores the operational readiness and professionalism of our men and women in uniform,” he said, reaffirming that OPHK troops remain resolute in their commitment to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East.
Operation HADIN KAI, he stressed, continues to prioritise the protection of civilians, the disruption of terrorist networks, and the restoration of peace and normalcy across the region.
