Troops Repel ISWAP’s Coordinated Assaults in Borno, Crushed Scores, Recover Heavy Weapons
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have crushed coordinated attacks by suspected ISWAP fighters on three Forward Operating Bases in Borno State, k!ll!ng several insurgents and recovering heavy weapons and ammunition in a series of fierce encounters between February 28 and March 1, 2026.
The Joint Task Force (North East) said the failed assaults targeted FOBs in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, but were decisively repelled as troops maintained control of all positions while inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists.
According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), the attack on FOB Mayanti on February 28 involved a large number of insurgents who opened intense fire on the troops. Reinforcements reportedly fought through ambushes and improvised explosive device (IED) threats to rout the attackers. Five terrorist bodies were recovered, alongside three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 tubes, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition. Blood trails at the scene indicated additional casualties. An officer, however, was killed during the encounter.
In a separate attack at about 1:15 a.m. on March 1, terrorists armed with PKT guns, RPGs and an armed drone assaulted FOB Gajiram but were repelled with the support of air assets. Three insurgents were found lifeless along their withdrawal route. Troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, one armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and poisoned arrows abandoned by the fleeing fighters. One wounded soldier was airlifted by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical treatment.
The military also confirmed that the attempted attack on FOB Gajigana was successfully thwarted, with troops retaining full control of the base.
In related offensive operations under Sector 2, troops engaged terrorists at Kayawa Village, forcing them to abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles while fleeing. Identified terrorist life-support structures were destroyed, and two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers were arrested. Drugs and medical consumables believed to be used for treating wounded fighters were also recovered.
Additionally, troops laid an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, where two terrorists were neutralised. Two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and a bicycle were among items recovered.
The military said all affected locations remain firmly under its control, noting that the scale of weapons recovery and confirmed enemy losses reflect the degrading combat capacity of ISWAP elements operating in the North East.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, disrupting logistics corridors and neutralising leadership structures in the region.
