By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a night attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base, FOB, Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, the terrorists attacked the base at about 11:25 p.m. on July 1, 2026. Troops of CIB XIX engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight, forcing them to withdraw after suffering heavy casualties.
Weapons recovered include AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, and Rocket Propelled Gun tubes. Surveillance footage also confirmed the evacuation of several dead and wounded terrorists from the battlefield.
Mairari community was only recently resettled, with over 950 households returning. The Army said the attack was a desperate attempt to instill fear and disrupt the resettlement process. No civilian casualties were recorded.
Regrettably, two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, were killed in the encounter. A few equipment items were also damaged by RPG fire. The Theatre Command said it mourns the gallant heroes and has extended condolences to their families.
In a related development, a reinforcement team from Monguno detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, planted along the route. The team then engaged fleeing terrorists, inflicting additional casualties and disrupting their withdrawal.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their resilience and fighting spirit, adding that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to defeating terrorism and restoring peace across the North East.
