Soldiers kill dozens of ISWAP fighters in fierce border battle

Nigerian Army troops under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have successfully repelled a large-scale assault by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kumshe, a border community in Borno State.

More than 35 terrorists were killed in the joint operation, while several others sustained injuries.

The terrorists had launched a pre-dawn offensive on military positions in Kumshe on Saturday, advancing from the Gulumba Gana axis in an attempt to overrun the town.

However, their plan was met with strong resistance from the Nigerian forces, who fought fiercely to hold their ground.

Sources disclosed that the insurgents were overwhelmed during the encounter, forcing them to retreat in disarray after suffering heavy casualties. Intelligence gathered from the field confirmed that between eight and ten wounded fighters were evacuated by their colleagues to Zangeri camp near Gulumba Gana, while at least five bodies were buried hurriedly.

Several other corpses were abandoned due to the intensity of the battle and the sustained pressure from Nigerian troops.

Despite the overwhelming success, the Nigerian military also recorded losses. One soldier was confirmed dead, while two others sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire.

To consolidate the ground operation and prevent further enemy reinforcement, the Nigerian Air Force deployed fighter aircraft to conduct precision airstrikes on identified clusters of ISWAP fighters operating along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.

The air interdictions were said to have decimated terrorist hideouts, neutralized more fighters, and disrupted the insurgents’ plans for regrouping.

Security analysts believe that the operation has further weakened ISWAP’s capability in the region, as Kumshe and its surrounding areas have long served as a key corridor for terrorist movements between Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon.