Troops thwart ISWAP assault in Borno, seize arsenal in counterattack

Troops from the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, successfully defended against a nighttime assault by ISWAP terrorists on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, Borno State, with the operation spanning from late Saturday into the early hours of Sunday.

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The attack, which began around midnight on 9 May 2026, originated from the Mandunari axis, but the troops detected the attackers early and responded with a coordinated defensive strategy, according to the Army.

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The military stated that the attackers were quickly overwhelmed before they could penetrate the defensive position, with the troops executing a well-coordinated spoiling attack that trapped the terrorists in a lethal killing zone.

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The Army reported that the camp remained secure, with no equipment lost, and the situation escalated into a joint land and air operation after air support from Operation HADIN KAI and the Nigerian Army Aviation was deployed to aid the ground troops.

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The air component carried out a synchronized air-land assault that decimated the retreating insurgents, ultimately sealing their defeat, as stated in the Army's report.

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Following the encounter, troops conducted a sweep of the area, discovering evidence of significant casualties among the attackers, including extensive blood trails, body parts, and battle damage consistent with scores of terrorist casualties.

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The military recovered several weapons and ammunition during the operation, including one General Purpose Machine Gun, two PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, and multiple belts of assorted ammunition.

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The Army reported that wounded soldiers are receiving medical attention and are in stable condition, while follow-up operations are ongoing to track down fleeing insurgents and consolidate gains.

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Operation HADIN KAI viewed the outcome as further proof of its dominance on the battlefield, stating that the failed attack demonstrates the futility of terrorist aggression against well-prepared and battle-ready troops.