Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Military Base, Recover Weapons in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a night-time assault by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area, killing several attackers and recovering weapons.
The attack occurred at about 11:25 p.m. on July 1, 2026, when the insurgents attempted to overrun the military base. Troops of CIB XIX mounted a fierce resistance, engaging the attackers in a prolonged gun battle that forced them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
According to the military, troops recovered several AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, and other equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Surveillance footage also reportedly showed the evacuation of several dead and wounded insurgents from the battlefield.
The military noted that the attack targeted Mairari, a community that was recently resettled with more than 950 returning households, in what appeared to be an attempt to intimidate residents and disrupt the ongoing resettlement programme. However, no civilian casualties were recorded during the incident.
Despite the successful defence of the base, the military confirmed that two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during the exchange. Some military equipment was also damaged by Rocket Propelled Grenade fire.
In a related operation, a reinforcement team deployed from Monguno detected and safely detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the route before engaging the retreating insurgents. The intervention further disrupted the terrorists' withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties on the group.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their courage, resilience, and professionalism, noting that the successful defence of the base reflects the high level of operational readiness of Operation HADIN KAI. It reaffirmed the military's commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.
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