By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have crushed coordinated midnight attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on key military positions in Borno State, killing scores of terrorists and recovering heavy arms in fierce gun duels that stretched from February 28 to the early hours of March 1.
The failed assaults targeted Forward Operating Bases in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram but troops stood their ground, repelling the terrorists with superior firepower and air support.
Military sources said the attackers, who stormed the bases in large numbers with anti-aircraft guns, rocket-propelled grenades and armed drones, were forced into chaotic retreats, abandoning weapons and equipment as they fled.
At Forward Operating Base, Mayanti, heavily armed insurgents launched a brazen assault late February 28.
Reinforcements battled through ambushes and improvised explosive devices to reinforce the base, routing the attackers after hours of intense firefight.
Five terrorist bodies were recovered, alongside three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 launchers, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs and large caches of 7.62mm ammunition.
Blood trails along withdrawal routes suggested more casualties.
However, the military confirmed that one officer paid the supreme price during the encounter.
Barely 24 hours later, at about 1:15 a.m. on March 1, terrorists struck again this time at Forward Operating Base, Gajiram.
Armed with PKT guns, RPGs and weaponized drones, the terrorists attempted to overrun the base but were repelled by determined troops backed by air components.
Three terrorists were confirmed killed.
Recovered items included four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, one armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and poisoned arrows.
One wounded soldier was evacuated by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical treatment.
The attack on Gajigana was also foiled, with troops maintaining full control of the base.
In follow-up offensive operations across Sector 2, troops engaged fleeing insurgents at Kayawa Village, forcing them to abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles.
Identified terrorist life-support structures were destroyed, while two confessed ISWAP logistics suppliers were arrested.
Drugs and medical supplies meant for treating wounded terrorists were also recovered.
During an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops neutralised two more terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and other items.
Operation Hadin Kai maintained that all attacked locations remain firmly under military control, stressing that the scale of recoveries and confirmed enemy losses point to a steady degradation of ISWAP’s combat strength.
Security analysts say the renewed wave of desperate attacks reflects mounting pressure on insurgent enclaves, logistics routes and leadership structures across the North-East theatre.
For now, the message from the frontline is clear: despite sporadic offensives, terror elements are meeting stiff resistance and paying heavily for every failed advance.
