Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in Sector 2 of Borno State, neutralising no fewer than 38 insurgents in the process.
The early Saturday assault was met with a swift and strategic response, leading to the recovery of eight terrorist bodies at the scene. Additional intelligence from local sources indicated that over 30 more corpses, along with weapons, were scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis as the fleeing insurgents retreated under pressure.
According to the military, the troops deployed a combination of well-coordinated ambush tactics and a robust offensive-defensive strategy, which forced the attackers into disarray. The Air Component played a crucial role by providing close air support, as well as real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that guided precision strikes on the withdrawing terrorists.
Items recovered from the scene include seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, and a cache of assorted ammunition. Despite the intensity of the engagement, no fatalities were recorded among the troops. However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by RPG fire, while injured personnel have since been stabilised.
Military sources confirmed that exploitation operations are ongoing across the Timbuktu Triangle, with troops maintaining aggressive patrols to track down remnants of the fleeing insurgents and prevent any regrouping.
The successful defence of FOB Mandaragirau underscores the growing operational effectiveness and resilience of troops in the North-East theatre, as they continue to degrade terrorist capabilities and secure vulnerable communities.
Residents in nearby communities have also been urged to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security forces, as sustained collaboration between civilians and the military remains vital in the ongoing fight against insurgency.