Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed scores of Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists while repelling a multi-pronged attack on a Forward Operating Base in Borno State.
The terrorists attacked the Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Saturday but were defeated by troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
Goni said the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the military position from two fronts at about 2am.
According to him, the troops detected the movement of the attackers through early-warning and surveillance systems before they could reach the base.
He said the military immediately deployed a combat team to intercept the terrorists along one of the approaches to the base.
“Contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front,” he said.
Goni explained that while the troops were engaging the first group, a second group attempted to bypass the military position and infiltrate the base from another direction.
He said the second group was also met with superior firepower from the troops and was forced to withdraw.
“The second group attempted to bypass the troops and infiltrate the base but was equally met with superior firepower,” he said.
According to the military spokesman, the coordinated response by the troops disrupted the terrorists’ plan and forced them to retreat in confusion.
He said the troops immediately launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and exploited the routes used by the attackers during their approach and withdrawal.
The military said several terrorists were killed during the encounter, while a substantial quantity of weapons and other combat equipment was recovered from the attackers.
Among the items recovered were AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, as well as a camcorder.
Goni said surveillance footage later showed some of the surviving terrorists dragging the bodies of their colleagues killed during the battle towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
The Timbuktu Triangle is an area in the North-East associated with the activities and movements of terrorist groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin.
The military spokesman said no casualty was recorded among the troops during the attack.
He described the successful defence of the base as evidence of the troops’ readiness and ability to respond quickly to coordinated attacks by terrorist groups.
According to him, the incident demonstrated the importance of the early-warning and surveillance systems deployed around military positions.
The systems enabled the troops to detect the advancing terrorists and prepare for the attack before the attackers could reach the base.
Goni said the troops’ response also showed their tactical proficiency and combat effectiveness in dealing with a multi-directional assault.
He commended the leadership and personnel of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage, professionalism and tactical skill in repelling the attack.
The military spokesman said the successful operation was a further indication that troops were capable of defending military positions against terrorist attacks when supported by effective surveillance and timely intelligence.
He also urged the troops to maintain the momentum of offensive operations against terrorist elements across the North-East.
The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI, he said, remained committed to sustaining military operations aimed at dominating the battlespace and denying terrorists the freedom to operate.
He added that the military would continue its efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the region.
The latest attack is part of the wider security challenge facing Borno and other states in the North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out attacks for more than a decade.
The insurgency has led to the loss of thousands of lives, displacement of communities and destruction of homes and public infrastructure across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
In recent years, ISWAP has remained one of the major armed groups operating in the Lake Chad region. The group has frequently targeted military positions, security personnel and civilian communities in its attempt to maintain areas of influence and access to weapons and supplies.
Military bases and Forward Operating Bases are important to the counter-insurgency campaign because they allow troops to maintain a presence in areas affected by terrorist activities and respond to attacks and movements by insurgents.
Attacks on such positions are sometimes aimed at overrunning bases, seizing weapons and equipment or inflicting casualties on troops.
The Mandaragirau attack, however, was repelled before the terrorists could achieve those objectives, according to the military.
The use of early-warning systems was particularly important in the operation, as it enabled troops to identify the attackers approaching from two different directions.
The military said the troops were therefore able to deploy personnel to intercept the first group while remaining prepared to respond to the second group attempting to infiltrate the base.
After the attackers were forced to retreat, the troops pursued them along their withdrawal routes and recovered weapons and other equipment.
The recovery of AK-47 rifles, RPG equipment and other items could provide additional information about the terrorists’ operations and the type of weapons being used by the group.
The military did not provide the exact number of terrorists killed in the encounter but described the casualties among the attackers as scores.
It also did not disclose the number of terrorists who escaped after the failed assault.
Goni said the troops remained focused on their mission and would continue offensive operations to prevent terrorist groups from gaining freedom of movement in the region.
He urged personnel involved in the campaign to sustain the momentum and remain prepared for further attacks.
The military has repeatedly stressed the need for troops to maintain vigilance, particularly around isolated bases and communities that may be targeted by insurgents.
The successful defence of FOB Mandaragirau therefore adds to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations being carried out under Operation HADIN KAI.
Goni assured the public that the Theatre Command remained committed to protecting communities and supporting efforts to restore peace in the North-East.
He said troops would continue to dominate the operational environment, disrupt terrorist activities and deny insurgents the opportunity to carry out attacks.
The military urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing useful information that could assist troops in detecting terrorist movements and preventing attacks.
It said the ultimate objective remained the restoration of lasting peace and security across the North-East and the creation of conditions that would allow displaced communities to return and rebuild their lives.