Troops Repel ISWAP Attack In Borno, Launch Counter-Offensive

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled coordinated attacks by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on military positions in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said the attacks occurred in the early hours of Thursday, June 19, targeting troops stationed at Dusten Kura and along Chara Road in the Buratai axis.

In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops detected the attempted incursions early and responded with a coordinated air and ground operation.

According to the military, the response was supported by intelligence assets and precision air strikes from the Nigerian Air Force, which helped disrupt the attacks and force the insurgents to retreat.

"The alert troops, supported by robust intelligence, promptly detected the incursion and responded with superior firepower in a well-coordinated air and ground counter-attack," the statement said.

Operation Hadin Kai said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, alongside precision strike aircraft, played a key role in the operation.

The military claimed the attackers suffered significant casualties and equipment losses during the engagement, although it did not provide specific figures. The claims could not be independently verified. It also stated that no casualties were recorded among troops involved in the operation.

The military described the latest operation as evidence of the growing coordination between ground forces and the air component of Operation Hadin Kai in ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the North-East.

"Theatre Command remains committed to denying insurgents freedom of action and ensuring the safety of law-abiding citizens across the North East theatre," the statement added.

Operation Hadin Kai urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing security agencies with credible intelligence, saying offensive operations against insurgent groups would continue across the region.

The North-East remains the epicentre of Nigeria's long-running insurgency, with security forces sustaining operations against ISWAP and other extremist groups operating in parts of Borno and neighbouring states.