By Opeyemi Adelakun
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled an attempt by Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists to infiltrate a military base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The terrorists launched the attack from two fronts at about 2am on Saturday, but were intercepted by soldiers after military surveillance systems detected their advance.
The Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday.
Goni said the early detection enabled the troops to deploy a combat team against one of the advancing groups, triggering a heavy exchange of fire.
While the first group was engaged and defeated, another set of terrorists attempted to bypass the troops and gain entry into the Forward Operating Base.
According to the Army, the second group was also stopped by the soldiers’ superior firepower before it could infiltrate the camp.
The failed assault forced the terrorists to withdraw, after which the troops pursued them and searched their withdrawal routes.
The operation also yielded weapons and other equipment abandoned by the attackers, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, bombs and chargers.
A camcorder video camera and other combat equipment were also recovered.
Goni said subsequent surveillance footage showed the terrorists dragging away the bodies of some of their members killed during the confrontation towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
He said several terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while no casualty was recorded among the Nigerian troops.
“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” Goni said.
The military spokesman said the successful operation demonstrated the readiness of troops deployed under Operation Hadin Kai to respond to attacks and prevent terrorists from gaining access to military positions.
He added that the Theatre Command commended the officers and soldiers of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for their handling of the attack.
Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would continue operations aimed at restricting the activities of terrorists and restoring security across the North-East.
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