Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel coordinated ISWAP attacks in north-east Nigeria

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai say they have repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on several military positions across Borno State, inflicting heavy losses on the armed group.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, media information officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), the military said the attacks took place in the early hours of 16 March at locations including Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai and Damboa.

According to the statement, militants launched the assaults from multiple directions in what was described as an attempt to overrun military positions and gain propaganda advantage. Troops reportedly detected the movements early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat.

The military said fighting was particularly intense near Ajiri Cross, close to Njimtilo, where troops intercepted fighters attempting to infiltrate their positions. Similar attacks at Baga, Buratai and Damboa were also repelled, with air support from the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army aviation units carrying out strikes on retreating militants.Several fighters were reported killed during the clashes, including a commander said to have led the Buratai assault, while others were wounded as they fled. The army said its troops retained control of all targeted locations despite sustaining some injuries and equipment damage.

Follow-up operations were later conducted around Baga and nearby communities, where troops recovered weapons and ammunition and destroyed motorcycles believed to have been used by the militants.

The military said the failed attacks reflected growing pressure on militant groups in the region and reiterated its commitment to ongoing operationsaimed at defeating insurgents in north-east Nigeria.