Troops repel ISWAP attack, kill 61 insurgents in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a coordinated attack by suspected
Islamic State of West Africa Province
 (ISWAP) fighters in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, killing no fewer than 61 insurgents in a fierce early morning battle.

A security source familiar with the operation said the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the terrorists advanced on foot toward the 68 Battalion position, deploying armed drones in what was described as a desperate effort to breach the troops’ defensive lines.

According to the sources, the assault was launched through the frontage of Bravo Company from the Duguri general area but was met with overwhelming resistance by Nigerian troops, backed by the Nigerian Air Force.

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The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the joint operation featured a high level of coordination between ground forces and air components, leading to devastating losses on the side of the insurgents.

Troops reportedly engaged the attackers in a sustained firefight, while precision air strikes targeted enemy positions, significantly degrading their fighting capability.

“Our forces executed four highly effective air interdiction strikes on identified enemy concentrations, decimating their combat strength.

“The synergy between air and land forces ensured the terrorists were fixed, targeted, and neutralised in large numbers”, the source said.

According to the source, the coordinated response forced the insurgents into a chaotic retreat toward the Arege general area after suffering heavy casualties.

The source further revealed that air support from allied forces of neighbouring Niger Republic intensified pressure on the fleeing fighters, with additional strike missions conducted to prevent regrouping.

However, battle damage assessments from the allied strikes were still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

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Despite the scale of the engagement, the military recorded minimal casualties on its side as four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the encounter and have since been treated and stabilised.