Troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI have foiled a multi-pronged attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a Forward Operating Base in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, said the attack on Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau was launched simultaneously from two fronts at about 2am on Saturday, August 15.
In a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the JTF said troops detected the advancing terrorists through early warning and surveillance systems and immediately deployed a combat team to intercept them along one of the routes.
The troops engaged the attackers in a heavy exchange of fire and decisively repelled the assault.
According to the statement, surveillance footage later showed the terrorists dragging the bodies of several of their fighters away from the battlefield, indicating that the group suffered heavy casualties.
The JTF said a second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the military camp but was also confronted with superior firepower and defeated.
The coordinated response forced the insurgents to withdraw in confusion, with troops launching a hot pursuit and thoroughly exploiting the area of contact and the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.
During the operation, the troops reportedly neutralised several terrorists and recovered a cache of weapons and equipment, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher with bombs and chargers, a video camera and other combat equipment.
The statement said subsequent surveillance footage further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
The military said there were no casualties among its personnel during the attack.
Operation HADIN KAI described the successful repulsion of the assault as evidence of the troops’ high level of readiness, aggressive posture and operational effectiveness.
The Theatre Command commended the leadership, courage and professionalism of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for what it described as exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in defeating the terrorists.
It reaffirmed the operation’s determination to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
