Forward operating bases at Gajiram and Mairari remain under military control after Nigerian forces repelled separate assaults, killing four militants and recovering weapons and equipment from the battle sites.
Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, confirmed the incidents in a Friday statement. He said troops detected an approaching hostile force toward FOB Gajiram on 17 September 2026 with early warning provided by Multinational Joint Task Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets. The Air Component then delivered close air support while ground forces adopted defensive measures, forcing the attackers to withdraw from the immediate area.
Later that night, troops at FOB Mairari in Guzamala LGA fought off an assault by ISWAP elements. Robust air support and organised ground resistance, Goni said, contained the attack and prevented the location from being overrun. Follow-up searches of the area recovered four corpses, some AK-47 rifles, magazines, quantities of ammunition, RPG bombs and a camcorder. Service members wounded during the engagements were stabilised and airlifted to hospital, where they are receiving medical care.
Commanders in Sector 3 conducted post-engagement assessments to evaluate positions, commend personnel and arrange reinforcements. Forces reinforced the locations to consolidate gains and continued area exploitation to deny militants freedom to regroup, the statement said.
Separately, sustained operations along the Main Supply Route Miyanti, Darel Jamel axis in Bama LGA on the night of 16 September 2026 prompted two Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad fighters, including a Qaid, to surrender to Sector 1 troops. The pair handed over 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 magazines, a motorcycle and a cache of ammunition. They are in military custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Theatre Commander Major General Ibikunle Ajose praised troops, MNJTF ISR teams and aircrews for coordinated action and said Operation HADIN KAI will sustain pressure on terrorist elements. He urged militants still in the bush to lay down their arms through established channels and called on the public to keep providing timely, credible information to security forces.
