Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Borno, Neutralise VBIEDs and Kill Several Terrorists

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on soldiers conducting stabilisation operations in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, dealing a major blow to the group’s offensive capability in the area.

The attack occurred late on Friday night when the terrorists attempted to breach a military base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). Vigilant troops detected the vehicles in time and neutralised both explosives through defensive fire, preventing any penetration of the base.

Security sources confirmed that closed-circuit television footage from the area showed several terrorists were killed during the failed assault, while others sustained serious injuries. Surviving fighters were seen evacuating their dead and wounded as they fled the scene.

According to the spokesperson of the Theatre Command, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Una, troops from Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI and the Multinational Joint Task Force, supported by the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, launched a comprehensive exploitation of the area in the early hours of December 13, 2025.

He said the follow-up operation led to the discovery of multiple terrorist corpses as well as a cache of weapons, ammunition, and logistics abandoned during the terrorists’ hasty withdrawal. Items recovered include AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, belts of PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication equipment, combat gear, medical supplies, and other materials linked to sustained terrorist activities.

Lieutenant Colonel Una noted that the recovered items have significantly degraded the operational capacity of the terrorists and curtailed their ability to operate freely within the area. He also confirmed that the two VBIEDs were completely destroyed by the OPHK defensive fire system, causing damage to the road at two separate locations. However, he stressed that the Forward Operating Base was not breached, highlighting the preparedness and resilience of the troops.

Following the encounter, troops have continued to dominate the general area with aggressive fighting patrols aimed at preventing further terrorist activity and reassuring local communities of the military’s sustained presence and commitment to security.