At least 15 fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were neutralised when Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled a fierce attack by terrorists in Ngamdu, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
However, four soldiers were killed and five others sustained injuries in the gun duel that lasted several hours, according to the military.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri.
Uba said the attack was launched by the terrorists who deployed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) against the troops and their combat vehicles.
Despite the intensity of the offensive, the spokesman said the soldiers stood their ground and responded with superior firepower, killing several insurgents and forcing others to retreat in disarray.
He stated, “Our troops gallantly repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists.
Unfortunately, four of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks were also damaged during the engagement.”
Uba added that the terrorists attempted to block reinforcements by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR), temporarily cutting off movement along the road.
“Troops swiftly responded, and engineers cleared three IED-laden spots. The route has now been reopened to both military and civilian traffic,” he said.
He explained that following the encounter, troops received urgent resupply of MRAP tyres and ammunition to sustain their operations and mobility in the area.
“Credible intelligence revealed that the terrorists suffered devastating losses, with reports indicating that about 15 of them were buried around Bula Wura near Wasaram after the encounter,” the statement added.
The spokesman disclosed that the 29 Task Force Brigade had since launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations to deny the terrorists any freedom of movement and consolidate the gains of the operation.
Lt. Col. Uba commended the troops for their courage and resilience, assuring residents that normalcy had been restored and that operations were ongoing to maintain stability across the area.
The attack marks one of the latest confrontations in the North-East as the military continues intensified operations to end years of insurgency in Borno and neighbouring states.
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