Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Borno States inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents through ground engagement and follow-up aerial bombardments.
Foiled Ground Assaults
According to a statement signed by the acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant SA Atokolo and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, indicates that the first encounter occurred in the early hours of Friday when terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. According to a statement by Lieutenant Sa Atokolo, Acting Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), alert troops supported by reinforcements from Gulak and a Quick Reaction Force successfully repelled the attackers.
Military officials confirmed there were no casualties among own troops or equipment during the Madagali encounter. Following the retreat of the insurgents, the area was scanned and cleared of potential Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to ensure civilian safety.
Simultaneously, a separate “large-scale, multi-directional attack” was launched against the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Azir in Borno State. Despite the attackers attempting to breach the defensive perimeter, they were met with sustained firepower from ground troops and Nigerian Army aerial platforms.
Damage and Recovery
While the military maintained control of the FOB, the engagement resulted in some damage to infrastructure.
“During the engagement, terrorists’ Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire affected Troop Carrying Vehicles and the CCTV control room which were partially gutted by fire,” Lieutenant Atokolo stated.
Despite the fire, troops recovered a significant cache of weaponry from the retreating insurgents, including:
- A 60mm mortar tube and mortar bombs.
- Locally fabricated explosives.
- Heavy machine gun rounds.
- Hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Air Component Follow-up
The operation transitioned into a pursuit as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms tracked the fleeing terrorists. The Air Component of OPHK subsequently launched precision strikes along the identified withdrawal routes.
The military reported that these strikes resulted in the neutralization of “additional scores” of terrorists. Exploitation of the site confirmed that the group suffered heavy casualties, significantly impacting their fighting strength.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to the mandate in the North East, stating that troops “remain resolute and unwavering in their mandate to deny terrorists freedom of action, dismantle their networks and protect the integrity of the North East region.”