ISWAP/Boko Haram Suffer Heavy Casualties as Troops Repel Attack on Kirawa Base

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists on a military position in Kirawa along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, killing 12 insurgents during the encounter.

In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, on Friday, the attack occurred in the early hours of May 22 in Sector 1 of the theatre under Operation DESERT SANITY and Siege Operations.

The statement said suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions occupied by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and associated forces but were detected and engaged with heavy firepower by troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

The military said the terrorists were forced toretreat towards the Cameroon axis after suffering heavy casualties during the exchange.

According to the statement, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets, alongside the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and partner forces, provided coordinated support throughout the operation.

Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, ammunition and a PKT machine gun.

The military added that troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force have sustained exploitation operations to track fleeing insurgents and recover additional weapons.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the North East theatre until they are completely neutralised.