Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted a coordinated assault by Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, which targeted troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion, was launched from four different directions, but the soldiers successfully repelled the terrorists following a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The Nigerian Army said the troops, supported by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, deployed superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated battlefield operations to overwhelm the attackers.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, more than 25 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” Goni said.
The military added that surviving members of the terrorist group fled the area following the counter-offensive.
During a subsequent exploitation of the battlefield, the troops recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles.
The Army said its forces were continuing operations in the area to recover additional weapons, track the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
However, the military disclosed that some soldiers were killed during the encounter.
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The Army expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, commending the troops for their courage, sacrifice and commitment to duty.
It described the successful repulsion of the attack as a demonstration of the combat readiness and resilience of troops operating in the North-East Theatre.
The military also said the operation underscored the effectiveness of air-ground coordination and joint military operations in disrupting terrorist activities and limiting their freedom of movement.
The Army assured that it would sustain pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies.
It said the ongoing operations were aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, protecting vulnerable communities and enhancing security across the region.
