Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Borno Military Base, Recover Weapons
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled a night attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the military said the attack occurred at about 11:25 p.m. on July 1, 2026, when the insurgents launched an assault on the base.
The troops of CIB XIX responded with what the military described as exceptional bravery, engaging the terrorists in a fierce gun battle and forcing them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
According to the statement, troops recovered several items from the fleeing terrorists, including AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes and other combat equipment.
The military added that surveillance footage confirmed the evacuation of several dead and wounded terrorists from the battlefield.
Operation HADIN KAI noted that the attack appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the recent resettlement of Mairari community, where more than 950 households had returned after years of displacement.
The statement, however, said the terrorists failed to achieve their objective, as no civilian casualties were recorded during the attack.
The military disclosed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed while defending the base, while a number of military equipment sustained damage from Rocket Propelled Grenade fire.
The Theatre Command expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, describing them as gallant heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the nation.
In a related operation, a reinforcement team deployed from Monguno detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the route before engaging the retreating terrorists, inflicting additional casualties on the insurgents.
The military said the successful operation demonstrated the operational readiness, resilience and combat effectiveness of troops of Operation HADIN KAI, noting that the base remained fully secured despite the attempted attack.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the North-East.
Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Borno Military Base, Recover Weapons