Soldiers under Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled an early-morning attack by Boko Haram fighters on a Forward Operating Base in Kangar, located in the Mallam Fatori district of Borno State.
In a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Uba Sanni, said the terrorists attempted to breach the base around 4:30 a.m. using armed drones and mortar fire.
He explained that troops, with support from Sector 3 reinforcements, displayed remarkable bravery and tactical strength during the firefight. Despite sustained drone strikes and indirect fire, the soldiers held their defensive positions and countered the attackers.
Close air support from Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack aircraft also contributed to the success of the operation.
According to Sanni, the terrorists eventually fled toward the Tumbuns waterways after coming under intense military firepower, abandoning several casualties in the process.
A post-operation sweep confirmed the death of six insurgents. Troops also seized five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of ammunition, five RPG bombs, four weaponised drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and a mobile phone.
Follow-up airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force, in coordination with the Nigerien Air Force, reportedly neutralised additional fleeing militants.
Sanni noted that a few soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force sustained minor injuries but were promptly evacuated for medical care and are in stable condition.
The spokesman added that intelligence and surveillance support from the Multinational Joint Task Force aided the operation. He said further pursuit missions were underway in nearby waterways to track down escaping fighters and restrict their movement.
He commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, noting that their morale remains high. According to him, the military leadership has praised the personnel involved and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace in the North-East through continuous coordinated operations.
