Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully repelled a coordinated night attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the attempted assault, which occurred late on Wednesday, July 1, was aimed at overrunning the military formation and disrupting the ongoing resettlement of displaced residents in Mairari. However, the troops mounted a fierce resistance, forcing the insurgents to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attack began at about 11:25 p.m. when the terrorists launched a determined offensive against the military base.
The statement noted that troops of CIB XIX stationed at the Forward Operating Base responded with exceptional courage and professionalism, engaging the attackers in an intense firefight that lasted until the insurgents were forced to abandon the operation.
“The troops responded with exceptional gallantry, engaging the attackers in a fierce firefight and forcing them to withdraw in confusion after inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and destroying their equipment,” the statement said.
Following the failed attack, troops recovered a cache of weapons and military equipment abandoned by the fleeing insurgents. The recovered items included AK-47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes and other combat materials believed to have been used during the attack.
The military also disclosed that surveillance footage obtained after the encounter confirmed that the terrorists evacuated several of their dead and wounded fighters from the battlefield, an indication of the significant losses they suffered during the failed assault.
The Theatre Command explained that the attack appeared to have been carefully planned to undermine the recent resettlement of Mairari community, where more than 950 households had only recently returned after years of displacement caused by insurgency.
According to the military, the insurgents sought to instill fear among returning residents and derail the government’s ongoing resettlement programme in parts of Borno State that have witnessed improved security following sustained military operations.
Despite the intensity of the attack, no civilian casualties were recorded in Mairari, a development the military attributed to the swift response of the troops and the effective defence of the community.
While the operation ended in victory for government forces, the military confirmed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the fierce exchange of gunfire.
It also stated that some military equipment sustained damage after being hit by Rocket Propelled Grenade fire.
The Theatre Command described the fallen personnel as gallant heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of their country and the people of the North-East.
“The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” the statement added.
In a related development, the military said a reinforcement team deployed from Monguno further strengthened the operation by detecting and safely detonating two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the terrorists along the access route to the area.
The reinforcement troops subsequently engaged the fleeing insurgents, further disrupting their withdrawal and inflicting additional casualties, thereby preventing any opportunity for the terrorists to regroup or launch another attack.
The military described the successful defence of the Forward Operating Base as another demonstration of the operational readiness, resilience and combat effectiveness of troops under Operation HADIN KAI, despite persistent attempts by terrorist groups to regain lost ground in parts of the North-East.
It stressed that the troops maintained complete control of the base throughout the encounter and continued to dominate the operational environment through sustained offensive and clearance operations across the theatre.
The Theatre Command also commended the courage, resilience and fighting spirit displayed by the troops, noting that their actions denied the terrorists any operational success while safeguarding both the military position and the civilian population.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive military operations against terrorist and insurgent groups operating in the North-East until lasting peace, security and stability are fully restored across the region.
The statement was signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
