By: Abdulqadir Muhammad Alhaji
Several well-coordinated attacks by suspected ISWAP fighters on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Gajiram, Gajigana and Mayanti have been repelled by troops of Operation HADIN KAI which has resulted in the recovery of a cache of heavy weapons and ammunition.
The Joint Task Force (North East) announced that the attacks happened during the last days of the month of February up to early March 1, 2026, and targets strategic military bases under the operation of Sector 2.
The military said that the attack on FOB Gajigana has been averted and troops had controlled the base. The soldiers at FOB Mayanti were reportedly firing with a large number of insurgents, but reinforcements were negotiating ambush points and improvised explosion device (IED) threats to reinforce the position and send the attackers back home.
Five suspected terrorists were killed after the Mayanti encounter. Such items as three PKT anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 launchers, four AK -47s, two FNs, three RPG mines and mass amounts of 7.62mm ammuniution were claimed to be captured. Military sources further revealed that there was evidence that blood trails indicated that more people died as part of the fleeing attackers. One of the officers was actually killed in the exchange.
At approximately the same time, at 1:15 a.m. March 1, insurgents believed to be armed with PKT guns, rocket-propelled grenades and armed drones were reported to have attacked FOB Gajiram but were repelled with the help of air assets. Three corpses had been found on the retreating pathway. Four AK-47, five anti-tank bombs, three locally produced mortar bombs, an armed drone, six loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and other equipment that was left at the scene were also taken by troops. An injured soldier was picked up by a Nigerian Army helicopter to get advanced medical care.
Additional offensive actions in Sector 2 were performed by the troops, which confronted the possible terrorists in Kayawa Village and managed to escape leaving only a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles. The military claimed that it eliminated known hideouts and logistic bases in the course of the clearance operation. Two suspected ISWAP logistics providers were also detained and drugs and medical supplies used to repair injured fighters were seized.
Also, in an ambush of Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, an kill of two alleged terrorists was reported and two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and a bicycle were recovered.
Military leaders insisted that all the affected areas are under government control, and that the recoveries and reported casualties are an indication that the government still is under pressure by insurgent elements in the North-East.
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