Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing at least eight insurgents in the process.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, when the attackers advanced on the base from multiple directions in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to overrun the facility.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the troops were already on alert and had taken strategic positions before the assault began, allowing them to respond swiftly.
A military source disclosed that the soldiers responded with superior firepower, forcing the insurgents to retreat.
“The troops demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority, effectively repelling the assault and immediately launching a counter-exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, inflicting further casualties on the fleeing insurgents,” the source said.
The source confirmed that no Nigerian military personnel lost their lives during the encounter, although a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Weapons were also recovered at the scene, including seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a large quantity of ammunition.
“Blood trails were observed along the withdrawal routes, indicating that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.
It was further gathered that some injured soldiers are currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility in Biu.
Additional reports indicated that more bodies of fleeing insurgents were sighted along their escape routes leading toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known hideout for such groups.
“We saw four more bodies,” sources said.
Military insiders also revealed that abandoned weapons and bodies were discovered in Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere, suggesting the attackers suffered significant losses during the failed operation.
Meanwhile, military authorities have urged troops to maintain the current momentum, secure the area, and build on the progress made in ongoing operations against insurgents in Borno State.
