By Seyi Odewale, with agency report
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a major overnight assault by ISWAP terrorists on their position in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
The terrorists reportedly launched the attack at about 12:20 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, in an attempt to overrun the troops’ forward operating position.
The troops responded with sustained fire, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering significant casualties.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He said the troops also recovered weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from the attackers following the engagement.
“The gallant troops responded with determined and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties,” Goni said.
He added that surveillance footage reviewed after the encounter showed several casualties being evacuated by the fleeing terrorists.
“Post-engagement review of the surveillance footage further confirmed several casualties being evacuated by the retreating terrorists,” he stated.
Goni said the recovered items and surveillance footage were undergoing further operational assessment as the military continued to evaluate the outcome of the attack.
However, the confrontation was not without losses on the military side, as some soldiers sustained injuries during the operation.
According to Goni, part of the defensive position was temporarily breached during the attack, while some combat equipment and military vehicles were damaged by rocket-propelled grenade fire.
He said the injured personnel were promptly evacuated by air and were in stable condition while receiving medical treatment.
Following the attack, troops maintained their positions around Gajiram and adjoining communities to prevent another attempt by the terrorists to regroup or launch a fresh assault.
Goni said the military had also intensified surveillance and maintained a strong presence in the area as the operational assessment continued.
“Troops continue to maintain high vigilance in and around Gajiram while exploitation of the operational area and further assessment of terrorists’ casualties and activities remain ongoing,” he said.
The military authorities urged residents of Gajiram and neighbouring communities to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities.
The Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, also reaffirmed its determination to sustain military pressure on ISWAP and other terrorist elements operating in the North-East.
It said the objective remained the restoration of lasting peace and stability across the region.
The latest attack highlights the continuing threat posed by terrorist groups operating in Borno, despite sustained military operations aimed at degrading their capabilities and restricting their freedom of movement.
The military said its forces would maintain pressure on the terrorists while strengthening defensive positions and monitoring the area to prevent further attacks.
*Rescue 16 kidnapped victims in Kogi
Meanwhile, troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.
The victims comprised six males, six females and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The report said the victims were abducted on Saturday, August 9, along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
It said the operation followed intelligence that the victims were sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.
According to the report, the search-and-rescue operation involves troops of 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes and Hybrid Forces.
“The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.
“However, one member of the Hybrid Forces was killed during the encounter, while one police personnel sustained injuries.
“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action,” it said.
The military said the operation highlights the continued collaboration among the military, police and local security groups in tackling kidnapping and rescuing victims in Kogi.
