Troops on duty
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Gajiram and Mairari, Borno State, killing four insurgents and recovering a stockpile of weapons.
The successful defensive operations were accompanied by the surrender of two Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, including a high-ranking Qaid (commander), to frontline troops.
Details of the military engagements were disclosed in an official statement released on Friday by Capt. Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) in Maiduguri.
According to Capt. Goni, the first encounter occurred on September 17, when insurgent elements advancing toward FOB Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area were detected early through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets provided by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Ground troops immediately implemented defensive countermeasures, while the Air Component of OPHK provided rapid close air support, forcing the attackers to retreat into adjoining bushes.
A subsequent attempt by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters to breach FOB Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area met a similar fate. Troops firmly held their ground and, backed by sustained airstrikes, repulsed the assault. The confrontation left four terrorists dead and led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, magazines, rounds of ammunition, Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, and a camcorder used by the insurgents.
Capt. Goni noted that a few soldiers sustained injuries during the gun battle and were promptly airlifted to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate development on September 16, a high-profile JAS Qaid and another fighter surrendered to Sector 1 troops along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis in Bama Local Government Area. The surrendering terrorists handed over three AK-47 rifles, five fully loaded magazines, a operational motorcycle, and additional ammunition.
Reacting to the operational successes, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, commended the ground and air components for their tactical vigilance and resilience. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eradicating insurgency in the region and urged remaining terrorists to lay down their arms and surrender through established government channels.
