Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a Forward Operating Base in Kangar, Mallam Fatori area of Borno State, killing six terrorists in the process.
A statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (Operation Hadin Kai), Lt. Col. Uba Sanni, on Tuesday, said the assault, launched around 4:30am on Tuesday involved the use of armed drones and mortar fire targeted at the base.
He said, “Troops, reinforced by the Main Force from the Battalion under Sector 3, displayed exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority to repel the attack.”
According to him, despite the insurgents’ use of drones and indirect fire, soldiers held their ground, engaging the terrorists in a fierce gun duel with support from Nigerien fighter jets.
“The terrorists, overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordination of the joint force, retreated in disarray into the Tumbuns waterways, evacuating several of their casualties,” he added.
Troops. bandits
Weapons and ammunition recovered from the bandits. Photo: Isah Ojo.
A post-battle assessment confirmed the death of six terrorists and recovery of several weapons and ammunition, including five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and an Android phone.
Sanni noted that follow-up air strikes by the Nigerian and Nigerien Air Forces on retreating terrorists “neutralised additional scores of the miscreants.”
He disclosed that a few personnel of the Joint Task Force and Civilian Joint Task Force sustained minor injuries during the encounter and were evacuated for treatment, adding that they are in stable condition.
“The MNJTF provided Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support to enhance situational awareness for ground troops,” Sanni said, noting that clearance operations were ongoing to track fleeing insurgents.
He added that the Military High Command commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and security in the North East.
In June, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai foiled an attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on the Naval Base at Lake Chad Fish Dam.
The Nigerian Army said the terrorists tried to destroy swamp bogeys recently bought by the Borno State Government to help clear waterways in the area, but soldiers at the base fought back strongly.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
