Troops of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), on Tuesday successfully foiled a coordinated terrorist attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kangar, at Mallam Fatori in Borno State.
A statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lt-Col Sani Uba, said Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists launched the attack at about 0430hrs using ” armed drones and mortar fire targeting the defensive positions of the base,”.
He noted that the troops, reinforced by the Main Force from the Battalion under Sector 3, displayed exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority to defeat the assault.
“Despite the initial use of drones and indirect fire, the troops held their ground, engaging the terrorists in a fierce firefight supported by close air support from the Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” he said.
The statement said the terrorists, overwhelmed by the superior firepower, retreated in disarray into the waterways of the Tumbuns, evacuating several of their casualties.
He, however, said a post-battle exploitation of the area confirmed the killing of six terrorists and recovery of five AK-47 rifles; eight AK-47 rifle magazines; 258 rounds of 7.62mm, 39 ammunition; five RPG bombs; four armed drone bombs; five 36-type hand grenades; two bandoliers and one Android phone.
The statement said a follow-on air interdiction by the Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with the Nigerien Air Force on the retreating terrorists further eliminated additional scores of the miscreants.
However, a few personnel of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI and some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries during the engagement.
He said the wounded have since been evacuated by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) platforms for medical attention and are in stable condition.
According to the statement, the MNJTF also provided Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support to enhance situational awareness for the ground troops, adding that further exploitation is ongoing in the waterways and adjoining areas to track fleeing terrorists and deny them freedom of movement.
Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high as they continue to maintain dominance in the general area.
