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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State, killing more than 25 attackers and recovering weapons and ammunition.
The terrorists reportedly attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions, but the soldiers responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated battlefield operations.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, the troops, supported by the Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers and forced surviving terrorists to retreat.
Goni said a preliminary assessment indicated that more than 25 terrorists had been neutralised, although troops had recovered 14 bodies as of the time of the statement.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” Goni said.
Following the encounter, troops conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles.
The Army said further operations were ongoing to recover more weapons, track the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
Some soldiers were also killed during the encounter, with the Nigerian Army expressing condolences to their families and commending the fallen personnel for their courage and sacrifice.
The Army described the successful repulsion of the attack as a demonstration of the combat readiness and resilience of troops operating in the North-East Theatre.
It also said the operation showed the effectiveness of air-ground coordination and joint operations in disrupting terrorist activities and restricting their freedom of movement.
The military said it would maintain operational pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies.
According to the Army, the ongoing operations are aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, protecting communities and safeguarding the country.
