By Harriet Tornguvan
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Magumeri, Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military formation under the cover of poor visibility.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the terrorists were said to have recorded minor breaches in an isolated section of the camp before troops responded decisively and overwhelmed the attackers.
According to the statement, the gallant resistance mounted by the troops forced the insurgents to retreat with heavy casualties.
“Further exploitation of the general area revealed extensive blood trails, body drags and the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the heavy casualties inflicted on the attackers during the failed assault,” the statement said.
The troops also recovered several arms and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and magazines.
However, the military disclosed that two soldiers lost their lives during the fierce encounter, while an officer and several other wounded personnel are currently receiving medical treatment and are said to be in stable condition.
The statement further revealed that some military equipment and temporary structures within the camp were damaged by fire during the exchange of gunfire.
Operation HADIN KAI said troops have continued exploitation operations around the area to consolidate on the gains recorded and determine the full extent of the damage inflicted on the terrorists.
The military high command commended the troops for their bravery and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational momentum in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the North East.
The failed attack, according to the military, further demonstrates the determination of Operation HADIN KAI troops to deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre of operations.
