Troops foil ISWAP assault on military base, gun down terrorists

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday night successfully repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Borno State, killing several of the attackers.

The attempted assault was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Lt Colonel Sani Uba, who said the insurgents sought to breach the base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices.

He said the explosive-laden vehicles were detected early and neutralised by troops before they could gain access to the facility.

According to the statement, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, dealing a decisive blow to the group’s operational capability in the area. The assault, which began late on 12 December 2025 and continued into the early hours of 13 December, was thwarted through coordinated ground and air operations.

“During the attack, terrorists attempted to breach the base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). Both devices were promptly detected and neutralised by the troops, preventing any penetration of the base. CCTV footage and field observations confirmed that several terrorists were killed, while others sustained serious injuries as surviving elements evacuated their dead and wounded.”

Lt Colonel Uba further disclosed that troops of Sector 3, alongside the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team and the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out an extensive exploitation of the area after the failed attack.

He said, “The operation led to the discovery of multiple terrorist casualties and the seizure of weapons, ammunition and logistics abandoned during their retreat.”

Items recovered during the operation, he noted, included AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication equipment, combat gear, medical supplies and other materials linked to sustained terrorist activity.

“These recoveries have further degraded the terrorists’ operational capacity and denied them freedom of action in the area,” he said.

Uba added that the two neutralised VBIEDs were destroyed by defensive fire from the troops, resulting in damage at two points along the road.

“Importantly, there was no breach of the FOB, highlighting the preparedness, vigilance and resilience of the troops. Troops are currently conducting aggressive patrols in the area to prevent further terrorist activity and reassure local communities of the continued security presence.”

He assured that the troops remained committed to defeating all terrorist elements in the North East.

“The failed attack at Mairari underscores the operational readiness and professionalism of our men and women in uniform. Operation Hadin Kai continues to prioritise the protection of civilians, the disruption of terrorist networks and the restoration of peace across the region,” he said.