Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai under Sector 2 of the Northeast Joint Task Force have neutralised more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a foiled attack in Yobe State.

The terrorists were killed during a fierce gun battle at the Goniri hideouts in Gujba Local Government Area, after they launched coordinated assaults on a military base between the night of Monday, March 9, and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Dani Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

According to him, the terrorists were detected through surveillance assets as they advanced in gun trucks from Goniri village and the Ngamdu T-junction in an attempt to encircle the military base.“The vigilant and gallant troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, effectively coordinating their defensive actions against the invading terrorists,” Uba said.

He added that reinforcements were immediately mobilised, while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided decisive close air support that further degraded the terrorists’ combat capability.

During the intense gun battle, the insurgents were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties.

Uba said more than 20 terrorists were killed, including a commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula in the Sambisa Forest.

Following the failed attack, troops recovered several bodies of the terrorists as well as weapons and equipment abandoned during their retreat.

The recovered items include multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibres.

The spokesperson added that further exploitation and clearance operations in the Gwaigomari area within the Timbuktu Triangle also led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols conducted up to the early hours of Wednesday.

He said troops who sustained injuries during the encounter had been evacuated for medical treatment and are currently in stable condition.

“Our base remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops. Ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are conducting aggressive follow-up operations in adjoining areas,” Uba said.

He added that additional search and clearance operations were ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded terrorists were suspected to have fled. (The Guardian)