More than 50 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were gunned down in the early hours of Thursday as troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled simultaneous attacks on military bases across Borno and Yobe States.
The coordinated offensives, which began shortly after midnight, targeted military formations in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo (all in Borno), and Katarko in Yobe.
According to a statement by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Officer of the Joint Task Force, the terrorists stormed the bases in large numbers, unleashing heavy gunfire and drone-led rocket attacks that lasted several hours.
“The troops fought gallantly and professionally to repel the onslaughts, inflicting heavy and decisive losses on the enemy,” Uba said. “Over 50 terrorists were neutralised, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.”
Recovered from the battle scenes were 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, two general-purpose machine guns, hand grenades, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said the success was achieved through coordinated air and ground operations, as the Air Component of OPHK launched precise strikes guided by real-time intelligence and surveillance data.
“Air cover provided by our aircraft ensured that the ground forces could counterattack with maximum effect,” the statement added. “Our ISR assets were instrumental in tracking and destroying fleeing insurgents.”
However, Uba disclosed that a few soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontations and were receiving treatment at military medical facilities.
Some residential buildings and military vehicles were reportedly torched in Dikwa and Mafa after the insurgents fired drone-propelled explosives and RPGs into the camps.
Despite the destruction, the military assured that normalcy had returned to all affected areas, with patrols and mop-up operations ongoing to prevent renewed infiltration.
“The military high command commends the gallantry and resilience of the troops,” the statement read. “Their performance reaffirms our resolve to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and end the reign of terror in the North-East.”
The latest victory comes amid renewed counterterrorism momentum in the region, following intensified air surveillance and joint operations between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force.
Security analysts say Thursday’s assault underscores the insurgents’ desperation to regain lost grounds after suffering heavy casualties in recent weeks.
Residents in nearby communities were said to have spent sleepless nights as the battles raged, with heavy gunfire echoing across the area until dawn.
The military urged civilians to remain calm and continue supporting ongoing counterinsurgency efforts with credible intelligence.
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