Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), North East, have foiled a coordinated terrorist attack on their Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Kangar, Mallam Fatori, in Borno State.
A statement by Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Uba said the assault, launched around 4:30 a.m. by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, involved the use of armed drones and mortar fire targeting the defensive positions of the base.
He said the troops, supported by reinforcements from the battalion under Sector 3, displayed exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority in repelling the attack.
“Despite the initial use of drones and indirect fire, the troops held their ground and engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, supported by close air support from Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” he stated.
According to him, the terrorists were overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordination of the joint forces and eventually retreated in disarray into the waterways of the Tumbuns, evacuating several of their casualties.
A post-battle assessment confirmed the neutralisation of six terrorists and the recovery of several weapons and explosives, including five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and an Android phone.
Uba added that follow-on air interdictions by the Nigerian Air Force, in conjunction with the Nigerien Air Force, on retreating terrorists neutralised additional scores of insurgents.
He said a few troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries during the encounter and had been evacuated by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) platforms for medical treatment.
“All the injured personnel are in stable condition. The MNJTF also provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to enhance situational awareness for the ground troops,” the statement added.
He said exploitation operations were ongoing in the waterways and surrounding areas to track fleeing terrorists and deny them freedom of movement.
The Military High Command, Uba noted, commended the gallant troops for their courage, resilience, and professionalism, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the North East.
