Dozens of terrorists neutralised in coordinated counteroffensive
Dozens of Boko Haram terrorists were reportedly neutralised on Tuesday when they attempted to overrun a Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Kangar, Mallamfatori, located in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack was successfully repelled by troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, with significant air support from the Nigerien Air Force.
According to credible military sources, the early morning assault began around 4:30 a.m. and was one of the most coordinated attacks launched by insurgents in the Lake Chad region in recent weeks. Despite the surprise offensive, Nigerian forces stood their ground, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Attack involved drones and mortars
Sources familiar with the operation confirmed that the terrorists used armed drones and mortar shells during the attack — a tactic that has become increasingly common among extremist groups in the region.
A senior military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that several members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and some soldiers sustained injuries but that the troops quickly regrouped and counterattacked.
“The terrorists attacked with armed drones and mortars, leading to injuries among some CJTF members and soldiers. The attack was defeated by the gallant troops, supported by Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” the source said.
The Joint Task Force, supported by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), immediately deployed reinforcements from Sector 3 to strengthen the defensive line and pursue the fleeing insurgents.
Weapons and ammunition recovered
Following the firefight, troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the battlefield, confirming the neutralisation of several terrorists and the recovery of a wide array of weapons. Items recovered included:
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Five AK-47 rifles
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Eight AK-47 magazines
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258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
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Five RPG bombs
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Four armed drone bombs
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Five hand grenades
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Two bandoliers
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One Android phone
Military intelligence later confirmed that several other insurgents were evacuated by their fleeing comrades into the Tumbuns waterways, a network of islands and marshlands along the Lake Chad Basin often used as hideouts by terrorist groups.
Nigerien Air Force conducts follow-up strikes
As the terrorists retreated, the Nigerien Air Force reportedly carried out follow-up precision airstrikes, targeting escape routes and destroying several enemy positions. The joint air operations were said to have neutralised additional “scores” of Boko Haram fighters attempting to regroup.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high. The MNJTF platforms were scrambled to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support, and to airlift the wounded, who are all in stable condition. Exploitation of the waterways continues by the resilient troops,” the military officer added.
A setback for Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region
The failed attack marks another major setback for Boko Haram and its rival faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have suffered repeated losses due to intensified regional counterterrorism operations.
In recent months, Nigerian and Nigerien forces have strengthened cross-border collaboration under the MNJTF framework, sharing intelligence and conducting synchronized air and ground missions. These efforts aim to eliminate the remaining insurgent cells entrenched in remote parts of Borno, Yobe, and the Lake Chad Basin.
Ongoing counterterrorism operations
Security analysts say that the use of armed drones by Boko Haram highlights the evolving nature of the insurgency and the need for continued investment in counter-drone and surveillance technologies. However, the latest operation demonstrates the increasing coordination and efficiency of Nigerian and Nigerien forces in responding to such threats.
Local sources in Mallamfatori described the attack as one of the fiercest in recent times but commended the military for preventing the terrorists from entering the town. “The soldiers fought bravely; we could hear the heavy gunfire and explosions, but by morning, it was clear they had pushed the attackers back,” one resident said.
As of press time, the Nigerian Army has yet to release an official statement, but internal reports suggest that follow-up operations are ongoing in the Tumbuns area to track down the fleeing insurgents.
The latest victory underscores Nigeria’s growing cooperation with its neighbors in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and signals renewed determination to end the decade-long insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.
