MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled multiple coordinated infiltration attempts by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State, forcing the insurgents to retreat after fierce engagements across several locations near Maiduguri.
The attacks occurred in the early hours of Friday, between 12:20 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate Muna Garage, Shuwari Village, and the Ajilari Cross axis with the aim of gaining access to Maiduguri metropolis. The military said troops, relying on early warning mechanisms, swiftly detected the advancing terrorists and engaged them from multiple axes with accurate firepower, decisively frustrating all attempts to infiltrate.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Muhammad Goni, confirmed in a statement that troops successfully thwarted additional infiltration attempts at Miringa and Dutsen Kura in Buratai. During the pursuit of fleeing terrorists at Miringa, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), but no casualties were recorded among the troops.
Overwhelmed by the troops’ swift tactical manoeuvre, the terrorists were forced to abandon their mission and retreat in confusion across all axes. Troops are currently conducting clearance and exploitation operations to pursue the fleeing insurgents, consolidate operational gains, and prevent further threats to nearby communities.
The military’s response follows a separate attack on the Forward Operating Base in Logomani, Ngala Local Government Area, on July 7, where troops successfully repelled a coordinated ISWAP assault. Although insurgents briefly breached part of the defensive perimeter, troops regrouped and launched a counteroffensive, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering significant casualties. One soldier was killed in the encounter, while two gun trucks and some equipment sustained damage.
In related operations, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion rescued two abductees during search and rescue operations in Askira/Uba Local Government Area on July 7, recovering N1.2 million suspected to be proceeds of criminal activity, alongside food supplies and other logistics believed to support terrorist operations. The victims have since been evacuated for medical treatment and psychosocial support.
Intelligence-led operations also targeted terrorist support networks, with troops of the 149 Battalion apprehending two suspected logistics suppliers in Mobbar Local Government Area, recovering cash, a vehicle, construction materials, and other items destined for insurgent camps. Six suspected ISWAP members and their families surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion in Gwoza, with more than N1.54 million and mobile phones recovered.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive offensive operations against terrorist groups across the North-East and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
