Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on a military formation in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing dozens of insurgents.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, was decisively thwarted by troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base, FOB Mandaragirau in Sector 2.
According to a statement issued by the military, the troops responded with a “well-coordinated offensive-defensive operation,” forcing the insurgents into a chaotic retreat.
:The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also provided close air support, alongside Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which enhanced precision targeting during the engagement.
Military sources disclosed that about 38 terrorists were neutralised during the operation. While eight bodies were recovered at the scene, local intelligence indicated that over 30 additional bodies were found along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes stretching from Garin Mallum to Garin Gajere, extending into the Timbuktu Triangle.
The statement noted that the fleeing insurgents left behind visible blood trails and abandoned weapons, suggesting heavy casualties.
Troops also recovered several weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs and assorted ammunition.
Despite the intensity of the attack, no fatalities were recorded among the troops. However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by RPG fire, leaving some personnel injured. The wounded soldiers have since been stabilised, the military said.
The military added that follow-up operations are ongoing along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis to recover more bodies and consolidate gains.
The statement further revealed that the outcome of the operation has sparked jubilation among local communities, while the military high command commended the troops for their bravery and urged them to sustain the momentum in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
