By Harriet Tornguvan
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on several military positions in Borno State, neutralising several insurgent leaders during fierce overnight battles.
The attacks targeted troops’ locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok, with the terrorists launching assaults. However, alert and determined troops mounted strong resistance and held their defensive positions despite the intensity of the attacks.
In a swift and well coordinated response, the troops executed simultaneous flanking manoeuvres supported by reinforcement teams from Sectors 1 and 2. The counter-offensive overwhelmed the attackers, forcing them into disorganised withdrawals from the affected locations.
Military authorities disclosed that in some isolated cases where parts of the defensive perimeter were briefly breached, troops immediately launched counter-attacks and successfully regained full control of their positions.
During the fierce engagements, several terrorist leaders, including key commanders known as Amirs, were neutralised, while a number of insurgent fighters were eliminated during the counter-assault.
Although some structures within the bases were damaged during the intense firefights, all the affected locations remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Office at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), the spokesperson for Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the operation also involved close coordination with the Air Component of the military.
He noted that multiple precision air strikes were carried out overnight against fleeing terrorist elements and identified hostile positions, further neutralising several insurgents and degrading their fighting capabilities.
According to him, ground troops are currently conducting exploitation operations across the affected areas, with the recovery of terrorists’ bodies, weapons and other combat equipment ongoing.
The statement, however, confirmed that some soldiers paid the ultimate price during the engagements, including a gallant officer who led his troops from the front while repelling the attackers.
Military authorities described their sacrifice as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defending the nation and protecting innocent citizens.
Operation HADIN KAI noted that the failed attacks highlight the growing desperation of terrorist elements facing sustained operational pressure across the North-East theatre, while assuring that troops remain firmly in control of the battlespace.
