Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an early-morning assault by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Punch reported that the attack occurred at about 2:00am on Saturday, August 15, with the terrorists approaching the military location from two directions.
According to the Army, troops detected the advancing fighters through surveillance and early-warning systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the groups.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
He said the ensuing confrontation resulted in an intense exchange of fire, during which the troops successfully overpowered the attackers.
“The Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI has recorded yet another decisive operational success as troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion decisively defeated an attempted ISWAP terrorist attack on their location at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
“At about 0200 hours on 15 August 2026, the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts. On detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, a combat team was promptly dispatched to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.”
Goni explained that while one group engaged the troops, another attempted to circumvent the ambush and gain access to the military camp.
He said the second group was also confronted and defeated by the troops.
“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp, but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated,” he explained.
The military spokesman said the terrorists eventually withdrew from the area following the troops’ coordinated response.
He added that the soldiers immediately pursued the fleeing attackers and searched the area around the encounter and their withdrawal routes.
“In a clear demonstration of tactical proficiency and combat dominance, the troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines,” he said.
He listed other recovered items as “a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcorder video camera and several other combat enablers.”
According to Goni, surveillance footage obtained after the operation showed some of the fleeing terrorists carrying the bodies of their colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” he stressed.
He described the operation as another indication of the preparedness and effectiveness of troops deployed under Operation Hadin Kai.
“The Theatre Command therefore commends the leadership, courage and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault,” he stated.
Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would continue its operations to restrict the activities of terrorists and restore peace and security across the North-East.
