Troops of the north east joint task force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), on Sunday, March 29, announced that it repelled an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack on a military base in Borno state, neutralizing 38 terrorists in the process.
The attack, launched in the early hours of March 28, targeted Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in sector two, but was met with well-coordinated ambushes and a deliberate offensive-defensive response that forced the terrorists into a disorderly retreat.
The air component of OPHK provided critical close air support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) feedback, enabling troops to deliver precise, targeted strikes against the terrorists.
Follow-up operations along the withdrawal routes led to the recovery of eight bodies within the immediate area of engagement, while intelligence from residents indicated that over 30 additional bodies and weapons were scattered along the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis extending into Timbuktu Triangle.
These claims were further supported by visible blood trails and abandoned equipment found along the route.
Troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, magazines, Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, and other explosives.
Despite an RPG strike on a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, no fatalities were recorded among the troops, while injured personnel were promptly stabilised.
The Nigerian army noted that exploitation operations are ongoing in the area to recover the littered bodies and consolidate gains.
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