Trending 
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in Borno State.
The attack targeted the Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of the state, where troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion successfully defended their position.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists launched a coordinated assault at about 2:00 a.m., approaching the base from two different directions.
According to the statement, troops detected the attackers’ movement through early warning and surveillance systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the advancing groups. The statement added that a second group of insurgents attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp but was met with superior firepower and also forced to retreat.
“The coordinated and aggressive response 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,” the statement said.
The military disclosed that several terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered weapons and equipment, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, a camcorder video camera, and other combat materials.
It added that surveillance footage obtained after the operation showed terrorists removing the bodies of some of their fighters towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
The military noted that no personnel were lost during the confrontation, describing the operation as a demonstration of the troops’ preparedness and tactical capability.
The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI commended the soldiers of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage and professionalism, while reaffirming its commitment to restricting terrorist activities and restoring security across the North East.
