March 30, (THEWILL) — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in Sector 2, Borno State, killing 38 insurgents in a combined air and ground offensive.
The successful operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, was confirmed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Lt.-Col. Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the terrorists launched what was described as a “half-hearted” assault on the forward base but were swiftly met with a well-coordinated offensive-defensive response by troops on the ground.
The military response forced the attackers into a disorganised retreat, during which they suffered heavy casualties as troops pursued them along their withdrawal routes.
Lt.-Col. Uba explained that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI played a critical role in the engagement, providing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support as well as precision air strikes that enhanced the effectiveness of ground operations.
“About 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate engagement area,” he said.
He further disclosed that human intelligence from local sources indicated that over 30 additional bodies, along with abandoned weapons, were observed along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.
The report, according to him, was corroborated by blood trails and abandoned equipment found during exploitation operations by troops.
Weapons recovered from the insurgents include seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade bombs, and assorted ammunition.
Although no troop fatalities were recorded, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by rocket-propelled grenade fire during the exchange.
The wounded personnel have since been stabilised and are in a safe condition.
Uba added that ongoing exploitation operations are continuing along the axis to recover more bodies and consolidate operational gains achieved during the encounter.
He noted that the scale of losses suffered by the terrorists has generated jubilation among residents of nearby communities, who continue to express confidence in the military’s sustained pressure on insurgent groups.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry, professionalism, and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational momentum in ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the North-East.
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