The Nigerian military has claimed victory in what it describes as a “major victory” for the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, after they repelled multiple coordinated attacks by ISWAP insurgents in Borno State, killing over 50 fighters and recovering significant amounts of arms and ammunition. The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, targeted military positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko.

Attacks repelled

According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the insurgents. The military intelligence suggests that the attackers were from the Cameroon axis and the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious ISWAP enclave.

Weapons recovered

The military operation, which involved ground and air components, resulted in the neutralization of over 50 ISWAP fighters and the recovery of significant amounts of arms and ammunition, including: 38 AK-47 rifles, 7 PKT machine guns, 5 RPG tubes, 2 GPMGs, hand grenades and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition.

Attackers looted foodstuff and burned vehicles

Local security sources, who confirmed the attack, said ISWAP fighters targeted commuters who had stopped near a military checkpoint for the night, waiting for the gate to open in the morning. They said the insurgents carted away foodstuffs and other goods destined for Gamboru, burning an undisclosed number of vehicles, but spared the lives of the commuters. They added that they burned several items belonging to travelers before attacking a nearby military formation.

Military urged to remain vigilante

Counter-insurgency experts commended the troops’ gallantry and professionalism, noting that their performance reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity. According to the expert, this victory is a significant blow to ISWAP’s regional operations, especially given recent reports of the group’s plans to utilize drones for attacks. Nevertheless, the expert urged the military to remain vigilant and stressed the importance of collaborating with local communities on intelligence gathering to bolster security efforts.