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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated attack by Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists on the 101 Special Forces Battalion in Kukawa, Borno State, with the military saying more than 25 terrorists were neutralised and 14 bodies recovered.
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The troops, supported by the Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers who reportedly launched their assault from four directions. Six AK-47 rifles and other ammunition were recovered as troops continued efforts to track fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
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In a separate incident, armed bandits invaded communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with the police confirming the attack.
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An inspector was reportedly shot during the Sokoto attack, while residents raised alarm over the movement of armed men through farmlands and communities.
October 7, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s security forces are confronting renewed attacks by terrorists and armed bandits in parts of the North, with troops recording a major battlefield success against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State while communities in Sokoto State came under attack from armed bandits.
In Borno, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled a coordinated assault on the 101 Special Forces Battalion in Kukawa Local Government Area, killing more than 25 terrorists in an encounter that also resulted in the death of some military personnel.
The attack was launched from four different directions, apparently in an attempt by the terrorists to overwhelm the troops.
The soldiers, however, responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated ground and air operations, forcing the surviving attackers to flee.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said in a statement on Wednesday that preliminary assessment indicated that more than 25 terrorists had been neutralised, although only 14 bodies had been recovered.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far”, he mentioned.
The military subsequently conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered weapons and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Among the weapons recovered were six AK-47 rifles.
The Army said troops were continuing operations to recover additional weapons, pursue the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping for another attack.
The military also acknowledged casualties among its personnel, expressing condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and commending them for their courage and sacrifice.
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According to the Army, the successful repulsion of the attack demonstrated the combat readiness and resilience of troops deployed in the North-East Theatre.
It further said the operation underscored the importance of coordinated air and ground operations in disrupting terrorist formations and restricting their freedom of movement.
The latest engagement comes against the backdrop of years of insurgency in Borno State, where ISWAP and Boko Haram factions have continued to pose a security threat despite sustained military operations.
The military said it would maintain pressure on terrorist and other criminal networks through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies.
Bandits Hit Sokoto Communities
Away from the North-East, residents of communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State were also confronted by armed bandits.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that an attack occurred in parts of the local government but said it was still gathering information before providing a full account of the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari had confirmed the attack to the command.
“I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government. We are still on it. I cannot give details now until I gather my information about the incident. I will get back to you on it”, Rufai stated.
The confirmation followed reports of the movement of armed bandits around farmlands and communities in the area, particularly towards Sanyin Nawal.
A resident of the community, Hassan Sahabi, had earlier raised the alarm on social media, urging people to pray for residents after armed men were reportedly sighted in the area.
“We are seeking your prayers to God for His protection. Bandits are currently in my community in Sanyin Nawal. Please pray for us”, he wrote.
Other accounts of the incident alleged that the bandits moved through farmlands in the morning before heading towards Sanyin Nawal, where they reportedly stopped vehicles and robbed travellers.
The attackers were also alleged to have moved through surrounding villages before returning later in the day.
Reports further claimed that a passenger vehicle was attacked around Maghrib, with a police officer reportedly shot during the encounter.
The officer was identified in some accounts as Inspector Isah Muhammad Girkau, who was said to have died from his injuries.
However, the police command had not officially confirmed the identity of the deceased officer or provided an authoritative account of how he was killed at the time of reporting.
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