Troops Crush ISWAP Assault on Borno Base, Inflict Heavy Casualties, Recover Weapons

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have decisively repelled a multi-pronged attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack, which occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, was launched simultaneously from two fronts, but was thwarted by troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion following early detection through the base’s surveillance and early-warning systems.

According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, a combat team was immediately deployed to intercept the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.

The troops engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire and successfully defeated them. A second group of terrorists that attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the base was similarly confronted with superior firepower and forced to withdraw.

The troops subsequently launched a hot pursuit, exploiting the contact area and the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.

Several terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the engagement, while troops recovered a cache of weapons and other combat equipment, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher with bombs and chargers, a video camera and other operational items.

The Theatre Command said subsequent surveillance footage showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their slain colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle following their withdrawal.

It added that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the encounter.

The successful repulsion of the attack, according to the statement, underscored the high level of readiness, tactical proficiency and combat effectiveness of troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI.

The Theatre Command commended the troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage, professionalism and tactical excellence in defeating the terrorist assault.

Operation HADIN KAI, the Theatre Command said, remains committed to dominating the battlespace, denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.