Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a night attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a statement issued on Thursday night by the Acting Military Information Officer,
HQs Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred at about 11:25 p.m. on July 1, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to overrun the base.
The Theatre Command stated that troops of CIB XIX mounted a fierce resistance, engaging the attackers in an intense gun battle that forced them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
The military said weapons and equipment recovered from the fleeing terrorists included AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, among other items.
Surveillance footage obtained after the development reportedly confirmed that the insurgents evacuated several of their dead and wounded from the battlefield.
The military noted that the attack came only weeks after more than 950 households had returned to Mairari as part of an ongoing resettlement programme, suggesting that the insurgents intended to create fear and disrupt the return of displaced residents.
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Despite the attack, the Theatre Command said no civilian casualties were recorded in the community.
However, the military disclosed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the encounter, while some military equipment was damaged by rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The Theatre Command expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, describing them as gallant heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the nation.
In a related development, a reinforcement team deployed from Monguno detected and safely detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the route before engaging the fleeing terrorists.
The military said the swift action further disrupted the insurgents’ withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties on the group.
Operation HADIN KAI stated that the successful defence of the base demonstrated the troops’ operational readiness, resilience and combat effectiveness, adding that the terrorists failed to gain any operational advantage.
The Theatre Command commended the courage and determination of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the North-East.