Troops crush terrorists in fierce overnight battles

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, have foiled coordinated attempts by terrorists to seize several military positions in Borno State after fierce overnight battles that lasted several hours.

The insurgents reportedly launched attacks on four military locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between late Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.roo

In a statement released on Friday, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said the assaults began around 10.30pm on Thursday and continued until about 3am.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have once again successfully thwarted coordinated terrorist attempts to overrun troops’ locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok,” he said.

Uba explained that soldiers held their ground despite heavy pressure from the attackers.

“The desperate attacks, launched between approximately 2230hrs uptill 0300 hours this morning, were met with overwhelming resistance from alert and determined troops who firmly held their defensive positions despite the intensity of the assaults,” the statement partly read.

According to him, reinforcements from different operational sectors quickly joined the fight, carrying out flanking operations that forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray.

“In some isolated instances where sections of the defensive perimeter were temporarily breached, troops swiftly counter-attacked and fully regained control of their positions,” he added.

The military said the clashes led to the killing of several insurgents, including some of their commanders, described as key “Amirs”.

Uba also disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force supported the ground operation with precision strikes on fleeing fighters and suspected hideouts.

“Ground troops are currently conducting exploitation operations across the affected areas, with recovery of terrorist corpses, weapons and other combat equipment ongoing,” he stated.

Although parts of the bases suffered damage during the exchanges, the army confirmed that all the locations remain under the control of government forces.

However, the military acknowledged that the fighting resulted in casualties among the troops.

“Regrettably, a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty, including a gallant officer who fought courageously from the front while leading his troops against the attackers,” Uba said.

He noted that the failed assaults showed the increasing pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains firmly in control of the battlespace,” he assured.