Amanze Chinonye
Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have repelled multiple coordinated assaults launched by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on military positions in Borno and Yobe states, killing more than 50 terrorists in the process.
The simultaneous attacks, which occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. on Thursday, targeted troops’ locations in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors I and II of the Joint Operations Area.
Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the troops fought “gallantly and professionally,” repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the insurgents.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,” Uba stated.
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He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all four locations.
According to him, troops recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, two general-purpose machine guns (GPMGs), hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.
“The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,” he added.
Uba further disclosed that more than 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground forces, with air units maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.
Intelligence reports indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.
He confirmed that some gallant soldiers sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while a few vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were affected by fire resulting from RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.
Despite the intensity of the onslaught, Uba said, troops maintained full control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes “with renewed strength and professionalism.”
He added that the Military High Command had commended the troops’ gallantry, resilience and steadfastness, describing their conduct as another demonstration of the Nigerian military’s capacity and resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and eliminate terrorist threats in the North-East.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
