The Nigerian Army troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in close coordination with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has neutralised no fewer than 61 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a foiled infiltration attempt in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno.

Sources involved in the operation disclosed that the terrorists launched the attack in the early hours of Wednesday, advancing on foot and deploying armed drones in a desperate bid to breach the defences of troops at the 68 Battalion location.

The sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack, which came through the frontage of Bravo Company from the Duguri general area, was met with overwhelming firepower and superior coordination between ground forces and air components.

The sources explained that troops, supported by precision air strikes, engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle that resulted in heavy casualties on the side of the terrorists.

According to him, the integration of air and ground manoeuvre ensured that the terrorists were fixed, targeted and neutralised in large numbers.

“Our forces executed four highly effective air interdiction strikes on identified enemy concentrations, decimating their fighting capability. The synergy between air and land forces denied the terrorists freedom of movement and forced a disorderly withdrawal towards the Arege general area after suffering heavy casualties,” he said

The sources noted that additional strike support from allied Nigerien air assets further compounded the pressure on the fleeing insurgents, although battle damage assessment from those strikes was still ongoing.

“The allied forces from neighbouring Niger Republic also conducted rapid strike passes in support of the operation, thereby compounding the pressure on the fleeing insurgents.

“On own casualties, the officer confirmed that four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the engagement and have since been stabilised”.

By Zagazola Makama