Linus Aleke in Abuja
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have foiled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, the military said.
According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, a large number of terrorists launched an assault in an attempt to overrun the troops’ position at about 12:20 a.m. on 10 August 2026.
This is not the first time Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) extremists have attempted to overrun military facilities across the North-East theatre of operations.
Meanwhile, troops have continued to frustrate such attempts, inflicting heavy casualties and recovering weapons from the insurgents.
The Nigerian military has been battling the insurgency for more than a decade and a half.
The statement noted that the gallant troops responded with determined and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties.
During the engagement, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets.
“Post-engagement review of the surveillance footage further confirmed several casualties being evacuated by the retreating terrorists. The recovered items and footage are currently undergoing further operational assessment,” Captain Goni said.
He, however, regretted that a few troops sustained injuries during the engagement after part of the defences was temporarily breached, leading to damage to some combat-enabling equipment and vehicles from rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The injured personnel were promptly airlifted and are currently stable and receiving medical attention.
Captain Goni said: “Following the attack, troops have remained firmly deployed in and around the FOB and adjoining areas to dominate the general area, monitor the situation and prevent any further attempts by the terrorists to re-engage.
“Residents of Gajiram and surrounding communities are advised to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. Members of the public are also encouraged to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agencies to support intelligence sharing in the ongoing operations.”
Captain Goni said troops would continue to maintain a high level of vigilance in and around Gajiram, while the exploitation of the operational area and further assessment of the terrorists’ casualties and activities remained ongoing.
“Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, reassures the public of its unshakable commitment to sustaining pressure on the ISWAP terrorists until lasting peace and stability are fully restored in the North-East,” he concluded.