Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully repelled a sophisticated, multi-directional assault on Wednesday, neutralising more than 80 terrorists and several high-profile commanders.
The early-morning engagement saw insurgents attempt a desperate five-pronged attack on military positions, utilising a combination of large ground forces and armed drones. However, the Nigerian Army revealed that the troops had anticipated the move, turning the defensive line into a strategic killing zone.
The terrorists focused their primary energy on the frontage of Bravo Company, advancing from the Duguri general area. According to military officials, the insurgents were met with a wall of disciplined fire and superior tactical positioning that left their ranks in shambles.
“Troops had anticipated the attack and deliberately prepared an offensive-defensive battle designed to decisively defeat and annihilate the assault elements,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Operation HADIN KAI. “The attackers were engaged, disrupted, and routed in disarray.”
The ground defence was bolstered by a heavy aerial response. Precision close air support from the Nigerian Air Component was joined by strike passes from allied Nigerien air assets, which compounded the pressure on the fleeing insurgents as they attempted to retreat.
The battle resulted in a significant leadership vacuum for the terrorist network. Three notorious commanders were confirmed killed during the firefight, specifically Mallam Abdulrahman Gobara, Mallam Ba Yuram, and Abou Ayyuba.
Beyond the top brass, at least 11 other identified key fighters, including individuals known as Zarkawi, Abu Aisha, and Abba Gana Kawiyya, were also eliminated. Lt. Col. Uba noted that the removal of these figures represents a severe disruption to the terrorist command structure and operational capability within the axis.
Following the engagement, a massive cache of military hardware was recovered from the battlefield, highlighting the scale of the intended assault. The haul included 52 AK-47 rifles, 8 PKT machine guns, 7 RPG tubes, and 5 General Purpose Machine Guns.
Troops also seized 21 RPG bombs, 9 locally fabricated IEDs, and components of the armed drones deployed by the terrorists during the breach attempt. More than 3,000 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition and various communication radios were also recovered from the scene.
Despite the scale and intensity of the drone-supported attack, the Nigerian Army reported minimal casualties, with only four soldiers wounded and promptly stabilised. The Military High Command has used this victory to debunk recent claims of troop fatigue or setbacks in the region.
“The failed attack clearly contradicts recent misleading propaganda and false narratives suggesting that troops are overwhelmed,” the military statement read. “On the contrary, troops remain firmly in control of all locations, maintaining dominance through sustained offensive operations and high morale.”
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and disregard unverified reports intended to undermine ongoing operations, as the Military High Command commended the gallantry of the troops and ordered them to sustain the current operational tempo. #Securitynewsalert.com
