Troops fighting insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East have killed several terrorists and prevented coordinated attacks on four military locations in Borno State after intense overnight battles.
The troops, operating under Operation Hadin Kai, engaged the attackers during midnight assaults that lasted for more than five hours between Thursday night and early Friday morning.
According to military authorities, the insurgents attempted to overrun military positions in four locations—Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok—but were repelled by troops after heavy fighting.
The Nigerian military said the attacks started late Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday.
In a statement released on Friday morning, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sanni Uba, confirmed the incidents.
He said the assaults began around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday and continued until about 3:00 a.m. on Friday.
According to him, the attacks were carefully coordinated by the insurgents who tried to overwhelm troops stationed in the affected areas.
However, soldiers on duty reportedly resisted the attacks and defended their positions despite the intensity of the fighting.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have once again successfully thwarted coordinated terrorist attempts to overrun troops’ locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok,” the statement said.
Military authorities described the attacks as desperate attempts by the terrorists to weaken security forces in the region.
According to the military, the soldiers responded quickly and launched counter-attacks against the insurgents.
The troops carried out flanking maneuvers and brought in reinforcement teams from other sectors within the operation.
These reinforcements came from Sector 1 and Sector 2 of the counter-insurgency operation.
The coordinated response forced the attackers to retreat from the military bases.
“In some isolated instances where sections of the defensive perimeter were temporarily breached, troops swiftly counter-attacked and fully regained control of their positions,” the military statement added.
The military said the determined resistance of the troops played a major role in stopping the attackers from capturing any of the bases.
During the intense firefights, the military said several terrorists were killed.
Among those reportedly neutralized were some of the group’s key commanders, often referred to as “Amirs”.
Military officials explained that these leaders play important roles in planning attacks and coordinating fighters.
The elimination of such commanders, they said, could weaken the operational strength of the insurgent groups.
The military did not provide the exact number of insurgents killed during the operations, but officials said many fighters were eliminated during the battles.
Security forces also recovered weapons and other equipment left behind by the fleeing attackers.
The military also confirmed that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai supported the ground troops during the operation.
According to the statement, several air strikes were carried out overnight against the terrorists.
These strikes targeted insurgents who were fleeing after the failed attacks as well as other hostile positions identified during the operation.
The military said the air strikes destroyed some enemy positions and further reduced the fighting strength of the insurgents.
Air support has become an important part of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, especially in difficult terrains where armed groups often hide.
Despite the success recorded by the troops, the military acknowledged that some structures within the attacked locations were damaged during the fighting.
The damage was caused by the intense exchange of gunfire and explosives during the overnight battles.
However, military authorities confirmed that all the bases remain under the control of Nigerian troops.
They also said operations are ongoing in the surrounding areas to ensure that no insurgent fighters remain nearby.
Ground troops are currently conducting follow-up operations, often called exploitation operations, to search the affected areas.
During these operations, soldiers are recovering bodies of insurgents, weapons and other combat materials left behind.
While the military repelled the attacks, it also suffered losses.
The statement confirmed that some soldiers were killed during the operation.
Among those who died was a senior officer who reportedly led his troops from the front during the battle.
Military authorities described the fallen soldiers as brave men who sacrificed their lives while defending the country.
“Their sacrifice reflects the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to defending the nation and protecting innocent citizens,” the statement said.
The Nigerian military often refers to such losses as the “supreme price” paid in the line of duty.
Borno State has remained the centre of insurgency in Nigeria for more than a decade.
Armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have carried out numerous attacks on communities and military locations across the region.
The conflict began in 2009 and has led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people.
Many communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have experienced repeated attacks, forcing residents to flee to safer areas.
In response, the Nigerian government launched several military operations to combat the insurgency.
Operation Hadin Kai is the current military campaign aimed at defeating the insurgent groups and restoring peace in the region.
In recent years, the Nigerian military has recorded several successes against insurgents, including the capture of camps and the killing of key commanders.
The latest attempted attacks on four military bases show that the insurgents are still trying to regain strength.
