Troops Repel ISWAP Assault on Borno Base, Neutralise VBIED Threats

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI on Friday night foiled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on a military base in Mairari, Borno State, destroying two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and killing several insurgents.

The attempted incursion targeted a Forward Operating Base, where terrorists tried to force entry using the VBIEDs, sparking a fierce exchange that lasted into the early hours of Saturday.

In a statement, the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said alert troops quickly detected the explosives and engaged the attackers with defensive fire, neutralising the threat before the base could be breached.

CCTV footage and field reports, according to Uba, confirmed that several terrorists were killed during the encounter, while others sustained injuries. The surviving fighters were seen evacuating their dead and wounded as they retreated from the area.

Following the failed attack, troops of Sector 3, backed by the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), conducted a sweep of the surrounding communities.

The search led to the recovery of arms and logistics abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including AK-47 rifles, ammunition, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication gadgets, combat uniforms and medical supplies.

Uba confirmed that although the destruction of the VBIEDs caused damage to sections of the road, the military base remained intact and uncompromised.

He added that troops have intensified aggressive patrols in and around Mairari to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of the military’s continued presence and commitment to securing the area.