Troops of Operation Hadin Kai under the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Nigerian Air Force, have reportedly neutralised at least 61 ISWAP fighters during a failed infiltration attempt in Malam Fatori, located in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a report by Zagazola Makama, which cited sources involved in the operation, the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Wednesday.
The report said the terrorists advanced on foot and deployed armed drones in an effort to breach the defences of troops stationed at the 68 Battalion base.
Sources said the assault, “which came through the frontage of Bravo Company from the Duguri general area, was met with overwhelming firepower and superior coordination between ground forces and air components”.
Troops, backed by precision air strikes, engaged the attackers in an intense battle, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.
“According to him, the integration of air and ground manoeuvre ensured that the terrorists were fixed, targeted and neutralised in large numbers,” the publication reported.
Makama further stated that “four highly effective air interdiction strikes on identified enemy concentrations, decimating their fighting capability. The synergy between air and land forces denied the terrorists freedom of movement and forced a disorderly withdrawal towards the Arege general area after suffering heavy casualties”.
The report added that allied air support from Niger Republic also contributed to the operation, increasing pressure on the retreating insurgents.
“The allied forces from neighbouring Niger Republic also conducted rapid strike passes in support of the operation, thereby compounding the pressure on the fleeing insurgents,” it said, noting that further battle damage assessments are ongoing.
On the side of the military, four soldiers reportedly sustained minor injuries and have since been stabilised.
The development comes amid heightened security concerns in the region.
On Monday night, at least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured following suicide bomb attacks on multiple locations in Maiduguri.
In response, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to coordinate ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
