Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State, killing more than 25 terrorists and recovering weapons and ammunition.
The terrorists attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions, but the soldiers responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated operations.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops, supported by the Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers and forced surviving terrorists to flee.
Goni said a preliminary assessment showed that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far. Troops also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during an operation to exploit the area after the attack.
Among the recovered weapons were six AK-47 rifles, while the military said further operations were underway to recover additional weapons, track fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
The Army confirmed that some soldiers were killed during the encounter and expressed condolences to their families. It said the successful operation demonstrated the combat readiness and resilience of troops operating in the North-East.
The Nigerian Army said it would sustain operational pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements through patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives. It said the operations were aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, protecting communities and safeguarding the country.
