Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) on Tuesday successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kangar, Mallam Fatori, Borno State.
In a statement, Lt-Col Sani Uba, the Task Force’s Media Information Officer, said the insurgents launched the assault at about 4:30 a.m., employing armed drones and mortar fire in an attempt to breach the base’s defences.
He said the troops, reinforced by a battalion under Sector 3, “displayed exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority” to repel the attack.
“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 Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” Uba said.
The statement noted that the militants, overwhelmed by the superior firepower, retreated in disarray through the Tumbun waterways, evacuating several of their casualties.
A post-battle sweep confirmed the killing of six terrorists and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and one Android phone.
A follow-on air interdiction conducted jointly by the Nigerian and Nigerien Air Forces on the fleeing insurgents reportedly eliminated additional fighters.
A few soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries during the engagement and were evacuated by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) platforms for medical treatment.
The MNJTF also provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support, enabling troops to track and deny the terrorists freedom of movement.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high as they continue to maintain dominance in the general area,” the statement added.
