Troops foil terrorist attacks on Borno military bases, recover weapons
Nigerian Troops Foil Terrorist Attacks in Borno State
NIGERIA — Soldiers from the Joint Task Force North East, engaged in Operation Hadin Kai, successfully thwarted terrorist assaults on two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Borno State, resulting in the deaths of four militants along with the recovery of various weapons.
The military’s announcement came in a statement released on Friday by Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force. The incidents took place on September 17, 2026, targeting FOB Gajiram in the Nganzai Local Government Area and FOB Mairari in the Guzamala Local Government Area.
At FOB Gajiram, troops, aided by intelligence and reconnaissance assets from the Multinational Joint Task Force, identified advancing terrorists. Troops initiated defensive strategies, while air support from Operation Hadin Kai played a crucial role in forcing the attackers to retreat into nearby regions.
Later that evening, a separate assault by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on FOB Mairari was also repelled, again with the assistance of air support.
The military reported that the engagements resulted in significant casualties for the terrorists, including the recovery of four bodies, several AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, and a camcorder. Some soldiers were injured during the confrontations and have since been evacuated for medical treatment.
In response to the attacks, reinforcements were deployed to the affected locations, and troops are actively conducting operations in the surrounding areas to prevent any regrouping by the terrorists.
Additionally, two members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), including a significant figure known as a Qaid, surrendered to forces at Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis in the Bama Local Government Area on September 16. The surrendered terrorists were found in possession of three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, a motorcycle, and ammunition. They are currently in custody and undergoing preliminary investigations.
Major General Ibikunle Ajose, the Theatre Commander, praised the troops for their performance in these operations. He encouraged remaining terrorists to surrender through official channels and appealed to local residents to provide timely and accurate information to security agencies.
