By ZAKAA LAZARUS
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attempted attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, neutralising several insurgents and recovering arms.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the statement, the attack occurred at about 0200 hours on Friday, August 15, 2026, when terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts.
Troops, acting on early warning and surveillance alerts, promptly dispatched a combat team to interdict the attackers along one axis. Contact was made and a heavy exchange of fire ensued, during which the team decisively defeated the attackers.
The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp but were met with superior firepower and also defeated.
The coordinated response forced the insurgents to withdraw in disarray. Troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and exploited the contact area as well as the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.
In the aftermath, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered substantial equipment including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcorder video camera and other combat enablers.
Footage from surveillance systems showed the terrorists dragging the bodies of their killed colleagues toward the Timbuktu Triangle. No casualty was recorded on the side of troops.
The Theatre Command commended the leadership, courage and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the assault.
It said the successful defeat of the multi-pronged attack further highlights the high state of readiness, aggressive posture and operational effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
The Command reiterated its resolve to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the North East.
