Attempts by terrorists to launch coordinated attacks on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kangar, located at Mallam Fatori in Borno State, have been repelled with several of the insurgents killed, the Nigerian Army said.
It said troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, foiled attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the attack occurred around 4:30am on Tuesday when the insurgents, armed with drones and mortars, launched a heavy assault on the base’s defensive positions.
The troops, reinforced by the main force from the Battalion under Sector 3, reportedly displayed exceptional courage and tactical superiority in repelling the terrorists.
Despite the initial bombardment, the soldiers held their ground and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire, supported by close air support from Nigerien fighter aircraft.
Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordination of the joint force, the terrorists fled in disarray into the waterways of the Tumbuns, evacuating several of their dead and wounded.
“A post-battle clearance operation confirmed the neutralisation of six terrorists. Items recovered included five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and one Android phone,” Uba said.
Follow-up air interdictions by the Nigerian and Nigerien air forces targeted the fleeing insurgents, killing additional fighters, the army added.
It said a few personnel of the Joint Task Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries during the encounter, adding that they were evacuated by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) aircraft for medical attention and are in stable condition.
“The MNJTF also provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support during the operation. Exploitation operations were ongoing in the waterways and nearby areas to track down fleeing terrorists and prevent further movement.
“Troops’ morale and combat efficiency remained high as they continued to maintain dominance in the region. The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry, resilience, and professionalism, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and security in the North East through sustained and coordinated operations,” said Uba.
