Two soldiers die as Nigerian army foils ISWAP attack on FOB Maiduguri
Nigerian Army Thwarts ISWAP Attack in Maiduguri
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army reported that Joint Task Force troops, part of Operation HADIN KAI, successfully repelled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the Forward Operating Base in Maiduguri during the early hours of May 7, 2026.
According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, the attempted infiltration occurred under poor visibility conditions. While the terrorists managed to breach an isolated section of the camp, the troops effectively contained and defeated the assault, neutralizing numerous attackers.
The Army confirmed that follow-up operations in the area revealed significant evidence of the confrontation, including blood trails and the recovery of numerous terrorist corpses. This suggested substantial casualties among the attackers during the failed assault.
In addition to thwarting the attack, soldiers recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the fleeing insurgents, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns and AK-47 rifles.
The statement noted that two soldiers lost their lives in the engagement, while an officer and several other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving medical treatment. Although some equipment sustained fire damage, temporary structures within the camp were also affected during the conflict.
Troops are now conducting follow-up operations in the area to further solidify the gains achieved during the attack, with ongoing assessments to evaluate additional damage.
The military leadership praised the soldiers for their commendable performance and emphasized the need to maintain operational momentum in combating terrorism in the region.
