By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled coordinated attacks launched by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 insurgents during the confrontation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the attacks occurred between Monday night, March 9, and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
According to him, troops deployed in Goniri under Sector 2 came under heavy assault from terrorists approaching from different directions in what appeared to be an attempt to encircle the military base.
“The terrorists were initially detected through surveillance assets advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in an apparent attempt to encircle the military location,” he stated.
Uba explained that the troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre, successfully repelling the attackers.
He said reinforcements were quickly mobilised while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided decisive close air support during the intense gun battle.
“During the intense firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties. Over 20 terrorists were neutralised, including a senior terrorist commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.”
The troops later recovered several bodies of the terrorists along with weapons and equipment abandoned during their retreat.
Items recovered include multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition.
Further clearance operations conducted in Gwaigomari within the Timbuktu Triangle also led to the discovery of more terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols carried out until the early hours of Wednesday.
Uba disclosed that soldiers injured during the encounter had been evacuated for medical treatment and were in stable condition.
He added that the location remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, while aggressive follow-up operations are ongoing in surrounding areas to track fleeing terrorists.
Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its determination to defeat terrorism and restore peace across the North-East.