Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated midnight attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering weapons.
The military disclosed that the attack occurred at about 11:25pm on Tuesday, July 1, when the terrorists launched an assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari, manned by troops of CIB XIX.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the troops mounted a fierce resistance, engaging the attackers in an intense gun battle that forced them to retreat after suffering what the military described as heavy casualties.
The statement noted that several weapons and military hardware abandoned by the fleeing terrorists were recovered from the battlefield. These included AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes and other combat equipment.
It added that surveillance footage obtained after the encounter showed the terrorists evacuating several of their dead and wounded fighters from the scene, indicating that the attack ended in significant losses for the insurgent group.
The military explained that the attack appeared to be a calculated attempt by ISWAP to undermine the ongoing resettlement of displaced residents in Mairari, a community that was recently reopened after years of insurgent occupation.
According to the military, more than 950 households had only recently returned to the community, making the attack an apparent effort to spread fear among residents and derail the government’s resettlement programme.
Despite the assault, the military said the terrorists failed to penetrate the base or harm civilians, stressing that no civilian casualty was recorded during the attack.
However, the military acknowledged suffering casualties during the fierce exchange of gunfire.
It said two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed while defending the base. Some military equipment was also damaged after being hit by Rocket Propelled Grenade fire.
“The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” the statement said.
In a related operation, troops deployed as reinforcement from Monguno reportedly discovered and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the route by the fleeing terrorists.
The reinforcement team subsequently engaged the insurgents during their withdrawal, inflicting additional casualties and further disrupting their escape, according to the military.
Operation HADIN KAI said the successful defence of the base demonstrated the operational readiness, resilience and combat effectiveness of troops operating in the North-East despite persistent attacks by insurgent groups.
The military added that the troops retained full control of the Forward Operating Base after the encounter and have continued offensive operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement across the theatre.
Captain Goni said the Theatre Command commended the courage and fighting spirit displayed by the troops, reiterating the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are restored across Nigeria’s North-East.
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