Many terrorists were killed as troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, repelled a midnight attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province on a Forward Operating Base in Gajiram, Nganzai LGA of Borno State. The attack, which occurred at around 12:20 am on Monday, saw the insurgents attempt to overrun the military installation, but vigilant troops engaged them in a fierce firefight. According to Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Media Information Officer for the operation, the troops responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray after suffering severe casualties.
During the engagement, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition, and communication gadgets, Captain Goni said. Post-battle surveillance footage confirmed that the fleeing terrorists evacuated numerous dead and wounded fighters as they scrambled back into the night. The recovered equipment and surveillance materials are currently undergoing further operational assessment. Despite the decisive victory, the attack came at a cost, as a portion of the base's defensive position was temporarily breached during the intense exchange, resulting in injuries to some soldiers.
Captain Goni noted that the wounded personnel are currently receiving medical attention. The attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, where ISWAP has been active in recent years. The military has been working to combat the terrorist group, and the repelled attack is a significant victory for the troops. However, the fact that the insurgents were able to breach the base's defensive position, even temporarily, raises concerns about the security of military installations in the region.
The incident is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security forces to combat the threat posed by ISWAP and other terrorist groups in the region. As the military continues to assess the situation and respond to the attack, the people of Borno State remain hopeful that the security situation will improve, and the threat posed by ISWAP will be mitigated. The repelled attack is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the military and ISWAP, and it will be important to monitor the situation closely in the coming days and weeks.
