Army repels ISWAP attack on Borno base, recovers weapons

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the early hours of Saturday repelled a simultaneous attack by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Army said troops detected the advancing terrorists through emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, leading to the deployment of a combat team to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.

The Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, in a statement on Saturday, said the terrorists suffered several casualties, with none recorded on the Nigerian Army side.

The statement read, “The Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI has recorded yet another decisive operational success as troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion decisively defeated an attempted ISWAP terrorist attack on their location at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

“At about 0200 hours on 15 August 2026, the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts. On detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, a combat team was promptly dispatched to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.”

Goni further noted that contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front.

“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp, but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated,” he explained.

The coordinated and aggressive response, according to him, forced the insurgents to withdraw in confusion, after which troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and thoroughly exploited the contact area as well as their withdrawal routes.

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“In a clear demonstration of tactical proficiency and combat dominance, the troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines,” he said.

Others, he said, included “a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcorder video camera and several other combat enablers.”

The Army spokesman said subsequent footage obtained from the surveillance systems further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their cohorts killed towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” he stressed.

The successful defeat, he said, highlights the high state of readiness, aggressive posture and operational effectiveness of OPHK troops, with the additional impetus from the military high command.

“The Theatre Command therefore commends the leadership, courage and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault,” he stated.

Goni assured that Operation Hadin Kai remained resolute in its determination to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.