Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated midnight attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, according to the military, occurred around 11:25 pm on Tuesday, July 1, when the insurgents attempted to overrun the base manned by troops of CIB XIX.
In a statement on Thursday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops put up a fierce resistance and engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties.
Goni said several weapons and combat equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists were recovered after the encounter.
He listed the recovered items as AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, Rocket Propelled Grenade tubes and other military hardware.
The statement added that surveillance footage later showed the terrorists evacuating several dead and wounded fighters from the scene.
The military, however, confirmed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed while defending the base.
“The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” the statement said.
It added that some military equipment was damaged after being hit by Rocket Propelled Grenade fire.
The military said the attack was an attempt by ISWAP to frustrate the ongoing resettlement of displaced residents in Mairari, a community recently reopened after years of insurgent occupation.
According to the statement, more than 950 households had recently returned to the community.
The military said the terrorists failed to penetrate the base or harm civilians, adding that no civilian casualties were recorded.
Goni also said reinforcement troops deployed from Monguno discovered and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted along the route by the fleeing terrorists.
He said the reinforcement team later engaged the insurgents during their withdrawal, inflicting additional casualties and disrupting their escape.
The statement added that troops remained in full control of the base and had continued offensive operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement in the area.
Goni commended the courage and fighting spirit of the troops, reaffirming the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups until peace and stability are restored in the North-East.
