Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in Borno State.
The attack was launched against the Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area at about 2am on Saturday.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
According to the statement, the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the military location from two fronts.
Troops detected the advancing fighters through early-warning and surveillance systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the groups along its axis of advance.
The troops subsequently engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of fire and defeated the attackers.
The second group reportedly attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the military camp but was also repelled by the troops.
“The coordinated and aggressive response forced the insurgents to withdraw in confusion, after which troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and thoroughly exploited the contact area as well as their withdrawal routes,” the statement said.
The military said several terrorists were neutralised during the operation.
Troops also recovered several weapons and other equipment, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, a camcorder video camera and other combat equipment.
The military said surveillance footage obtained after the attack showed some terrorists dragging the bodies of their dead colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
The military further stated that no Nigerian soldier was killed or injured during the attack.
The Theatre Command commended the troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for what it described as their courage, professionalism and tactical effectiveness in repelling the assault.
Operation HADIN KAI said it remained committed to maintaining control of the operational area, restricting terrorist activities and restoring lasting peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East.