Army foils coordinated ISWAP attacks, recovers heavy weapons

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a series of coordinated attacks by Islamist terrorists on military positions in Borno State, killing several fighters and recovering weapons.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the troops foiled assaults by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on forward operating bases in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram between late 28 February and the early hours of 1 March.

The statement said the attack on Gajigana was successfully repelled, with troops maintaining full control of the base. At Mayanti and Gajiram, the military reported significant militant casualties and the recovery of heavy arms and ammunition.

At the Mayanti base, the army said troops came under heavy fire on 28 February but held their ground while reinforcements overcame ambushes and improvised explosive devices to force the attackers to retreat. Five militant bodies were recovered, alongside machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, rifles and large quantities of ammunition. One officer was killed during the encounter.

In Gajiram, militants armed with heavy weapons and drones launched an attack in the early hours of 1 March, but were repelled with the support of air assets, the statement added. Three militant bodies were later found along withdrawal routes, while weapons recovered included rifles, anti-tankbombs, mortar bombs and a drone. One wounded soldier was evacuated by helicopter for medical treatment.

The army also said troops carried out further offensive operations in Sector Two, including engagements in Kayawa village where militants fled, abandoning motorcycles and bicycles. Two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers were arrested, and drugs and medical supplies allegedly used to treat wounded fighters were seized.

Additional ambush operations in parts of Gujba Local Government Area reportedly led to the killing of two militants and the recovery of weapons.

The military said all affected locations remain under government control, adding that the operations form part of sustained efforts to weaken ISWAP’s operational capacity across the region.