Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled several coordinated attacks launched by Islamic State West Africa Province targeting military formations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa, Mainok and a troop harbour deep inside the Sambisa Forest.
The attacks occurred overnight between 8 and 9 March 2026, with the terrorists striking simultaneously from multiple directions in an attempt to overwhelm military positions.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Monday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the statement, the troops held their ground despite the intensity of the attacks and the heavy firepower deployed by the insurgents.
“Fighting across multiple fronts, the troops effectively coordinated their defensive actions while reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely and decisive support during the engagements.
“The terrorists were consequently met with overwhelming resistance and were forced into withdrawal after suffering significant casualties from several terrorist bodies left behind,” the statement partly read.
During the operations, troops recovered a cache of weapons and equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. The items included two PKT machine guns, six AK-47 rifles, eight RPG bombs, four mortar bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
Although sections of the defensive perimeters in Goniri and Kukawa were briefly breached, and some structures and vehicles within the bases were damaged during the intense firefight, the military said all positions remain firmly under its control. Follow-up ground operations and cordon-and-search missions are currently ongoing in neighbouring communities where wounded insurgents are believed to have taken refuge.
“In the course of the engagements, sections of the defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa were momentarily breached, while a number of structures within the bases and vehicles sustained damage due to the intensity of the firefights.
“All locations, however, remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops. Ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are currently conducting follow-up exploitation operations in the affected areas,” it added.
The military also confirmed that some soldiers, including an officer in Kukawa, lost their lives during the operations while defending the nation and protecting civilians.
“Regrettably, the engagements claimed the lives of some brave and gallant soldiers, including an outstanding officer in Kukawa, who paid the ultimate price in defence of our nation and the protection of innocent citizens. Their sacrifices will continue to inspire their comrades in the ongoing fight against terrorism,” it stated.
The statement noted that troops remain vigilant and determined to sustain operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement and restoring lasting security across the North-East.
The latest development builds on previous offensives under Operation HADIN KAI, which have included coordinated airstrikes and ground assaults against insurgent hideouts linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.