Troops Repel Coordinated ISWAP Attacks in Borno, Kill 10 Terrorists

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on three Forward Operating Bases in Borno State, killing at least 10 terrorists in the process.

The attacks, which targeted FOBs Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, occurred between the late hours of February 28 and the early hours of March 1, 2026, according to a statement from the military.

Media Information Officer for the task force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed that troops maintained control of all positions despite the intensity of the assaults.

He said FOB Mayanti came under heavy attack on February 28, with troops repelling the assault and later recovering five bodies of the attackers. Three terrorists were killed at Gajiram, while two died during the attack on Gajigana.

“The failed assaults underscore the growing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained pressure on their enclaves, logistics corridors and leadership structures,” Uba said.

He added that while the attack on Gajigana was successfully thwarted with troops maintaining full control, the encounters at Mayanti and Gajiram resulted in significant terrorist casualties and the recovery of substantial combat equipment.

Items recovered from the scenes included three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 tubes, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs, and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.

Uba confirmed that an officer lost his life during the Mayanti encounter, describing the loss as the “supreme price” paid in service to the nation.

“On February 28, 2026, FOB Mayanti came under heavy attack by a large number of terrorists. Gallant troops held firm despite intense enemy fire, as reinforcements fought through ambush and IED threats to rout the attackers,” he stated.

Exploitation operations following the Mayanti attack confirmed five terrorist corpses and the recovery of weapons, with blood trails indicating additional casualties.

In a separate attack at about 1:15 a.m. on March 1, terrorists armed with PKT guns, RPGs and armed drones attacked FOB Gajiram but were repelled by troops supported by air assets. Three terrorist bodies were recovered along their withdrawal route, alongside four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, one armed drone, and other items.

One wounded soldier was airlifted by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical care.

Offensive Operations Continue

In related offensive actions under Sector 2, troops engaged suspected terrorists at Kayawa Village, forcing them to flee and abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles. Troops also destroyed identified life-support structures and arrested two confessed ISWAP logistics suppliers.

Drugs and medical consumables used for treating wounded terrorists were recovered during the operation.

Additionally, during an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, a bicycle and other items.

Uba stated that all locations remain firmly under military control, adding that the scale of recoveries and confirmed enemy losses underscores the degrading combat capacity of ISWAP elements.

“OPHK’s sustained offensive posture continues to deny terrorists freedom of action, forcing them into disorderly retreats with heavy losses,” he said.