By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully thwarted a fierce attack by terror fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Gwoza town in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack, which occurred Friday afternoon, was launched by terrorists who infiltrated the town from the direction of Izge, under cover of heavy rainstorm.
Sources disclosed that the attackers advanced from within the Izge–Pridang–Baikee axis from one fromt and the Mandara Mountains from another front and targeted strategic locations in Gwoza.
Alert troops however responded swiftly to the assault, decisively engaging the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat after sustaining heavy losses.
Security analysts believe the attack may have been a retaliatory move following recent coordinated airstrikes by the Nigerian military under Operation KALACHEN WUTA.
The strikes, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, reportedly killed several ISWAP fighters and inflicted serious injuries on one of the group’s key leaders, Abou Moussad Albarnawi.
The situation in Gwoza has since been stabilised, while troops are still in pursuit to further decimate the terrorists backed with several fire missions. No casualties was reported on troops side.
