Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled multiple coordinated attacks by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, recovering heavy arms and ammunition in the process.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), the encounters occurred between the late hours of February 28 and the early hours of March 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the failed assaults highlight what is described as the growing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained military pressure on their enclaves, logistics corridors and leadership structures.
FOB MAYANTI UNDER HEAVY FIRE
On February 28, FOB Mayanti came under heavy attack by a large number of terrorists. Troops reportedly held their ground despite intense enemy fire, while reinforcements manoeuvred through ambushes and improvised explosive device (IED) threats to repel the attackers.
Exploitation of the battlefield confirmed five terrorist corpses and the recovery of three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 tubes, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition. Blood trails at the scene indicated additional enemy casualties.
An officer was, however, killed in action during the encounter.
GAJIRAM, GAJIGANA ATTACKS REPELLED
At about 0115 hours on March 1, terrorists armed with PKT guns, RPGs and armed drones attacked FOB Gajiram but were repelled by troops with support from air assets.
Three terrorist bodies were recovered along the withdrawal route, alongside four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, one armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and poisoned arrows.
One wounded soldier was airlifted by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical care.
The attack on Gajigana was also successfully thwarted, with troops maintaining full control of the base.
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS INTENSIFIED
In related offensive operations under Sector 2, troops engaged fleeing terrorists at Kayawa Village, forcing them to abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles.
Troops also destroyed identified terrorist life-support structures, arrested two confessed ISWAP logistics suppliers and recovered drugs and medical consumables allegedly used for treating wounded fighters.
During an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and a bicycle.
Military authorities stated that all affected locations remain firmly under troop control, noting that the scale of recoveries and confirmed enemy losses reflects the degrading combat capacity of ISWAP elements in the North East.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its resolve to sustain offensive actions until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.
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