Borno: Nigerian Troops Repel ISWAP Assault, Recover AK-47 Rifles and Ammunition

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Saturday.

The Nigerian Army said surveillance and early warning systems detected the advancing terrorists in time, allowing a combat team to be swiftly deployed to intercept them along one of their approach routes.

In a statement, Captain Muhammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, said the terrorists suffered several casualties in the encounter, while no Nigerian Army personnel were harmed.

According to the statement, the 162 Amphibious Battalion successfully repelled the ISWAP assault on its base in Mandaragirau. At about 2:00 a.m. on August 15, 2026, the terrorists launched a dual-front attack, but early warning systems flagged their movement, prompting the rapid deployment of a combat team.

Goni said a fierce exchange of gunfire followed, with troops overpowering the attackers on the first front. A second group of terrorists that attempted to infiltrate the camp was met with equally strong resistance and similarly repelled.

The coordinated and decisive military response forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray. Nigerian troops pursued them aggressively, capitalizing on both the point of contact and the terrorists’ escape routes.

Demonstrating tactical skill and combat superiority, the troops neutralized multiple terrorists and recovered a substantial cache of weapons and equipment, including AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, a camcorder, and other combat gear.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed terrorists dragging away several bodies toward the Timbuktu Triangle as they withdrew. Importantly, the operation recorded no casualties among Nigerian troops.

The Theatre Command commended the 162 Amphibious Battalion for its bravery and tactical expertise in repelling the attack, describing the outcome as a demonstration of the readiness and effectiveness of OPHK troops, guided by directives from military leadership.