Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled multiple coordinated terrorist attacks across several locations in Borno and Yobe States, neutralising over 50 insurgents and recovering a cache of weapons, including 38 AK-47 rifles.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the Nigerian Army, the terrorists launched simultaneous assaults between midnight and 4 a.m. on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko — areas under Sector 1 (Borno) and Sector 2 (Yobe) of the Joint Task Force North East.
Despite the intensity of the attacks, the Army said its troops stood their ground, fought gallantly, and decisively overpowered the assailants, inflicting what it described as a “heavy, decisive, and bloody blow” on the enemy forces.
The statement, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, noted that the ground troops were supported by precision air strikes from the Air Component Command of the operation.
“The precision strikes, combined with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by Theatre Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,” the statement read.
Weapons Recovered
The Army disclosed that the combined ground and air offensive led to the recovery of 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.
It added that over 70 wounded terrorists were still being pursued by ground forces, backed by close air support.
Intelligence reports revealed that the attackers on Dikwa and Gajibo had advanced from the Cameroon axis, while those who struck Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.
Troop Casualties and Damage
The Army confirmed that some gallant troops sustained injuries during the engagements but are in stable condition. It also reported that a few vehicles and structures were damaged by armed drones and RPG fire, particularly in Mafa and Dikwa, where parts of the defensive positions were briefly breached before being reclaimed.
Military Commends Troops’ Bravery
The Military High Command lauded the bravery, resilience, and professionalism of the troops, reaffirming the armed forces’ determination to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity against all threats — especially with the introduction of more boots and critical combat enablers into the Theatre,” the statement added.
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