Troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion under Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated ISWAP assault on their Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving several insurgents killed and weapons recovered.
The attack occurred at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, when the terrorists advanced towards the military position from two separate fronts, according to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
Goni said troops detected the movement through surveillance and early-warning systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the advancing groups.
He said the encounter triggered an intense exchange of fire, which ended with the attackers being pushed back.
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Gini said, “The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated.”
The military officer said the coordinated response forced the insurgents to retreat, after which troops were prompted to pursue them along their withdrawal routes and search the area where the encounter took place.
Several items were recovered during the operation, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, as well as a camcorder, and other military equipment.
Goni said surveillance footage later showed some of the fleeing terrorists dragging the bodies of their colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
He added that no member of the Nigerian military was killed or wounded in the encounter.
The successful defence of the base is a reflection of the role of surveillance systems in detecting hostile movements before they reach military positions. It also shows how the troops responded to the attackers on two fronts rather than allowing either group to gain access to the base.
Goni credited the troops with their decisive response, saying their conduct reflected the operational readiness and effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai.
He said, “The Theatre Command, therefore, commends the leadership, courage, and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault.”
The clash adds to the continuing military operations against insurgent groups in Borno, where troops have sustained efforts to prevent attacks on military positions and other targets.
