By TARKAA DAVID, Abuja and FRANCIS OKOYE, Maiduguri
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an Islamic State West African Province incursion into its forward operating base in Borno State.
A statement by the acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni said troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion yesterday, at about 2am, thwarted attempts by ISWAP terrorists on their location at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu local government area of Borno State.
He said the terrorists at about 2am launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts.
However, the troops on detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, promptly dispatched a combat team to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.
According to him, the troops made contact with the terrorist resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front.
He said another group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp but were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated.
He said, “The coordinated and aggressive response forced the insurgents to withdraw in confusion, after which troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and thoroughly exploited the contact area as well as their withdrawal routes.”
He noted that the troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, rocket propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcoder video camera and several other combat enablers.
He revealed that subsequent footages obtained from the surveillance systems further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their cohorts killed towards the Timbuktu Triangle, adding that no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops.
He reiterated that the successful defeat of the multi-pronged attack further highlights the high state of readiness, aggressive posture, and operational effectiveness of OPHK troops with the additional impetus from the military high command.
The Theatre Command therefore commended the leadership, courage, and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault.
He reassured that the Theatre Command remains resolute in its determination to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the North East.
