Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a series of attacks by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province on multiple military locations across Borno State.
The attempted assaults which occurred on Monday, March 16, 2026, targeted troop positions at Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai, and Damboa.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Media Information Officer at HQs Joint Task Force, Sani Uba, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the attacks were launched from multiple areas in what was described as a desperate attempt by the terrorist group to overrun positions and gain propaganda advantage.
At Ajiri Cross near Njimtilo, troops of Sector 1 reportedly detected insurgents attempting to infiltrate their defenses and responded with coordinated firepower.
The military noted that the troops had anticipated the move and adopted a deliberate offensive-defensive posture, successfully disrupting the attack and forcing the terrorists into a chaotic retreat.
Similar attempts at Baga, Buratai, and Damboa were also repelled, with troops bringing superior firepower to bear.
It was gathered that the operations were bolstered by close air support from the Nigerian Air Force component and Army Aviation units, whose precision strikes targeted retreating insurgents and disrupted their formations.
During the engagements, several fighters were killed, including a key commander who led the assault on Buratai.
READ ALSO:Â ISWAP Fighters Clash With Nigerian Troops Near Maiduguri
During the attack, it was learnt that some military equipment was damaged and several soldiers sustained injuries.
Items seized included machine guns, assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Troops also destroyed motorcycles believed to have been used by the insurgents.
Military sources confirmed that seven bodies of insurgents were recovered, while intelligence indicated that approximately 20 were buried in shallow graves by retreating fighters.
The military described the failed attacks as evidence of mounting pressure on insurgent groups operating in the North East, noting that sustained operations have significantly reduced their capacity to launch successful offensives.
Operation HADIN KAI reassured residents that all affected locations remain under firm military control and urged the public to remain vigilant while disregarding misinformation aimed at undermining ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
