The Nigerian Army says a number of soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members died while repelling a fierce ISWAP assault on Mandaragirau in Borno state.
In a statement, Sani Uba, media information officer, headquarters Joint Task Force (north-east), said troops thwarted coordinated terrorist attacks in Mandaragirau and Pulka late Saturday.
He said the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents.
In the Mandaragirau attack on Sector 2 positions, he said ISWAP fighters launched a multi-pronged offensive using gun trucks and motorcycles.Uba said the troops anticipated the move and engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun duel.
He added that some soldiers and members of the CJTF paid the supreme price, while a few soldiers sustained injuries.
“Troops had tactically emplaced combat teams that decisively engaged the terrorists. Interestingly, the attack was successfully thwarted after a fierce exchange without any breach to the defence of the location,” he said.
“Regrettably, some gallant personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force members paid the supreme price in the defence of their location, while few soldiers sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated by Air Component of OPHK and the Nigerian Army Aviation platforms.”
In another assault on Pulka’s Sector 1, Uba said a large group of suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists advanced from the Sambisa Forest axis.
He said the troops overpowered the terrorists, compelling the attackers to flee in disarray towards Sambisa.
Uba said no soldiers were killed in Pulka, adding that intelligence confirmed severe enemy losses, including the death of Abou Aisha, a senior commander on the terrorists side. The military high command praised the troops’ bravery, professionalism, and resilience, viewing the failed assaults as evidence of insurgents’ growing desperation under sustained pressure from Operation Hadin Kai.
