Nigerian troops repel ISWAP’s major attacks in Borno town, inflict heavy losses on fighters

Nigerian troops repel ISWAP’s major attacks in Borno town, inflict heavy losses on fighters

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3, operating under the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully thwarted a major assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State.

The attack, which involved the use of a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED), ended in a decisive victory for the Nigerian military.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the insurgents launched their attack with the SVBIED leading their assault team. However, the swift and strategic response of soldiers from the 101 Special Forces Battalion neutralized the immediate threat, triggering an intense gunbattle.

During the engagement, several ISWAP fighters were killed, while the terrorists were forced to abandon significant amounts of equipment and supplies as they fled.

The troops received air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, which carried out precision strikes on retreating ISWAP fighters. This aerial reinforcement helped to consolidate the military’s dominance, forcing the insurgents to retreat in disarray.

While the exact number of casualties among the insurgents remains undisclosed, troops recovered several pieces of equipment.

Military intelligence sources said that ISWAP may attempt to regroup and retaliate, potentially targeting reinforcements or military bases using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or ambush tactics.

Troops were advised to maintain heightened vigilance, in anticipation of a possible attack on the military base in Malam Fatori.