By Alhaji Yusuf, Damaturu
Troops from Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants on a military forward operating base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing an estimated 38 terrorists.
According to a statement released on Saturday, the attack occurred in the early hours of March 28, 2026. Military sources reported that troops engaged the assailants with a “well-coordinated offensive-defensive response,” forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.
The Air Component provided close air support and intelligence surveillance to assist ground forces.
Following the initial engagement,pursuit operations along the terrorists’ escape routes yielded additional casualties.
Authorities have so far recovered eight bodies at the immediate scene, with intelligence from local sources indicating that more than 30 additional terrorist bodies are scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis leading to the Timbuktu Triangle. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
The military reported that no soldiers were killed during the encounter. One Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade,but injured personnel have since been stabilized.
Troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a cache of ammunition from the scene.
Local communities reportedly celebrated following the successful repulsion of the attack. The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to maintain operational pressure in the North East region.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, stated that exploitation operations are continuing along the fringes of the Timbuktu Triangle to recover remaining equipment and consolidate gains.
Edited by Ladi Halilu