Troops Crush ISWAP Assault in Borno, Neutralise Over 25 Terrorists
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated multi-directional assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State, killing more than 25 insurgents and recovering weapons and ammunition.
The terrorists launched the attack on troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four different flanks, but were met with stiff resistance from the Nigerian Army.
The troops responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and effective battlefield coordination, supported by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, the counter-offensive inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists and forced surviving fighters to flee the area.
Goni said preliminary assessment showed that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised, while 14 bodies had so far been recovered.
He added that troops, during exploitation of the area, recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles.
“Further exploitation is ongoing to recover additional weapons, track the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping,” the statement said.
The Army, however, disclosed that some soldiers were killed during the encounter.
It expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, describing their sacrifice and commitment to duty as an enduring testament to their service to the nation.
The military said the successful repulsion of the attack demonstrated the combat readiness and resilience of Nigerian troops operating in the North-East Theatre.
It also highlighted the effectiveness of air-ground coordination and joint operations in disrupting terrorist activities and restricting their freedom of action.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its determination to maintain sustained operational pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements in the region.
It said troops would continue with aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensive actions alongside other security agencies to dismantle terrorist networks, protect communities and safeguard the country.
