Nigerian Army Neutralizes 16 ISWAP Insurgents in Borno

Nigerian military forces have successfully neutralized 16 insurgents following a failed midnight attack on a base in Borno State. Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, operating in synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force, executed a devastating counter-offensive to dismantle the terrorist network.

According to Lt Col Sanni Uba, the Media Information Officer for the task force, the operation took place along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area. The action was a direct response to a midnight assault conducted by ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base in Auno on February 5.

Troops thwarted that initial assault with disciplined firepower, subsequently launching a bold follow-up strike on February 9. This counter-offensive engaged the retreating terrorists up to the Gidan Kaji axis, resulting in the neutralization of sixteen fighters and forcing others to flee with severe injuries.

Beyond eliminating threats, the operations achieved significant rescue and recovery goals. Troops successfully rescued a total of 11 hostages who were being held captive by the militants.

In a separate action along the Buratai-Kamuya road, security forces foiled a kidnap attempt, rescuing two victims, Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, and reuniting them with their families. Furthermore, a distress call in the Chibok-Damboa axis led to the successful rescue of nine additional kidnapped victims.

The military also dealt a blow to insurgent logistics by arresting suspected ISWAP suppliers attempting to transport a large quantity of drugs to terrorist enclaves around the Bukarti axis. Troops recovered over twenty bicycles, weapons, and a significant cache of supplies critical to the terrorists’ operational capacity.