By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed scores of ISWAP terrorists while repelling a multi-pronged attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Borno.

The troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion successfully defeated the terrorists during an attack on FOB Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of the state.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Goni said the terrorists launched the simultaneous assault from two fronts at about 2 a.m. on Saturday.

He said troops detected the advancing terrorists through early-warning and surveillance systems and promptly deployed a combat team to intercept them along one of the approaches.

“Contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front.

“The second group attempted to bypass the troops and infiltrate the base but was equally met with superior firepower,” he said.

Goni said the coordinated response forced the terrorists to withdraw in confusion, prompting troops to launch a hot pursuit and exploit the contact and withdrawal routes.

He said several terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while troops recovered a substantial quantity of weapons and other combat equipment.

The recovered items, according to him, included AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, and a camcorder.

He said surveillance footage subsequently showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their colleagues killed during the encounter towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

The military spokesman stressed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the attack.

He described the successful repulsion of the attack as a demonstration of the troops’ high state of readiness, tactical proficiency and combat effectiveness.

Goni commended the leadership and personnel of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their courage, professionalism and tactical excellence in defeating the terrorists’ assault.

He said the operation further demonstrated the effectiveness of early-warning systems and the troops’ ability to rapidly respond to coordinated attacks on military positions.

According to him, the Theatre Command, he added, remained committed to sustaining offensive operations to dominate the battlespace and deny terrorists freedom of action.

He also urged troops to maintain the momentum against terrorist elements across the North-East.

Goni said Operation HADIN KAI would continue to work toward restoring lasting peace and security across the region. (NAN)

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