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Nigerian Army troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in coordination with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have reportedly neutralised at least 61 ISWAP terrorists during a foiled infiltration attempt in Malam Fatori, Abadam, Borno State.
Sources involved in the operation told Zagazola Makama that the insurgents attacked in the early hours of Wednesday, advancing on foot and using armed drones in an attempt to breach defences at the 68 Battalion location.
The sources said the attack, launched from the Duguri general area through the Bravo Company frontage, was met with coordinated firepower from ground troops and air support. Precision airstrikes reportedly caused heavy casualties among the terrorists.
One officer involved stated, “Our forces executed four highly effective air interdiction strikes on identified enemy concentrations, decimating their fighting capability.
“The synergy between air and land forces denied the terrorists freedom of movement and forced a disorderly withdrawal towards the Arege general area after suffering heavy casualties.”
The sources noted that additional strike support from allied Nigerien air assets further compounded the pressure on the fleeing insurgents, although battle damage assessment from those strikes was still ongoing.
“The allied forces from neighbouring Niger Republic also conducted rapid strike passes in support of the operation, thereby compounding the pressure on the fleeing insurgents.
“On own casualties, the officer confirmed that four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the engagement and have since been stabilised.”
Recall that suspected suicide bombings struck Maiduguri on Monday evening, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100. Police reported that the explosions occurred at the Maiduguri Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office Flyover area.
