Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy losses on the insurgents.
The terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the military location from two fronts at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, but troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion, relying on early warning and surveillance systems, swiftly detected the advancing attackers and moved to intercept them.
According to an official statement signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, a combat team was deployed to engage the terrorists along one of their axes of advance, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire in which the attackers were decisively defeated.
The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the troops and infiltrate the camp but was also met with superior firepower and successfully repelled.
The coordinated response forced the insurgents to retreat in confusion, with troops immediately launching a hot pursuit and exploiting the area of contact as well as the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.
The operation resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the recovery of AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, a camcorder video camera and other combat equipment.
Surveillance footage obtained after the engagement also showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their slain colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle, further indicating the heavy losses suffered by the attackers.
The military said there was no casualty among its troops in the encounter.
The Theatre Command commended the troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage, professionalism and tactical proficiency in defeating the multi-pronged assault, describing the operation as a demonstration of the troops’ readiness and aggressive posture in countering terrorist activities in the North East.
Operation HADIN KAI, it added, remains committed to dominating the battlespace, denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.
