ISWAP terrorists suffer heavy losses as troops repel attack on military base in Borno

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigerian troops of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) on Saturday inflicted heavy defeat on ISWAP terrorists who attempted to attack Sector two Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau community of Borno State.

Lieutenant Colonel Uba Sani, the media information officer, Operation HADIN KAI revealed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the troops engaged the attackers with well-coordinated ambushes and a deliberate offensive-defensive response that forced them into a disorderly withdrawal.

He added that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support to the troops and ISR feedbacks to enhance targeted kinetic responses leading to heavy losses for the terrorists.

He added that about 38 terrorists were killed in the encounter, though only b eight bodies have been recovered by troops so far.

He added that the troops also recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs and assorted ammunition, while recording no fatalities.

“Subsequent exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes inflicted further heavy losses. A total of about 38 terrorists were neutralized with 8 bodies recovered so far within the immediate engagement area and human intelligence from locals confirming over 30 additional terrorists’ bodies and weapons strewn along Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.

“This was evidenced by blood trails and abandoned equipment. Troops also recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 8 magazines, 4 RPG bombs and assorted ammunition, while recording no fatalities; one MRAP was hit by RPG fire, with injured personnel promptly stabilized.

The Army spokesperson added that the scale of enemy losses has triggered widespread jubilation among local communities and highlights the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.

“Further exploitation operations are ongoing along the Garin Mallum – Garin Gajere axis at the fringes of the Timbuktu Triangle to recover the littered terrorists’ corpses and consolidate gains,” the statement concluded.