Abuja: Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have repelled a large-scale ISWAP terrorist assault on a military base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, neutralising 38 insurgents in the process.
A statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba said the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
Uba said the troops acted with a coordinated defence and attack, forcing the terrorists to retreat in confusion.
He added that the Air Component of OPHK provided close air support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enhancing precision targeting during the engagement.
He said that following the terrorists as they withdrew caused more losses for the fleeing insurgents.
According to him, a total of 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate area of engagement.
He further stated that credible human intelligence from local sources confirmed sightings of more than 30 additional bodies and abandoned weapons along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.
These findings were supported by visible blood trails and scattered equipment along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, according to Uba.
Uba further shared that troops recovered rifles, magazines, RPG bombs, and ammunition from the scene.
He said there were no troop deaths, though one armoured vehicle was hit by a rocket, and injured personnel were treated.
The spokesman said the operation had boosted the morale of local communities and underscored the sustained dominance of troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.
He added that operations to recover more equipment and consolidate gains were still in progress.
Uba said the Military High Command had commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the North East.
