By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on military formations in Borno State.
The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, targeted locations in Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai and Damboa.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the insurgents launched the assaults from multiple directions in an attempt to overrun troops’ positions.
Uba said, “At Ajiri Cross, ahead of Njimtilo, terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops’ positions but were swiftly detected and decisively engaged.”
He added that troops deployed coordinated firepower and tactical manoeuvres to repel the attackers, forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties.
The statement noted that similar attacks in Baga, Buratai and Damboa were repelled with support from the Air Component and Nigerian Army Aviation, which carried out precision strikes.
According to him, several terrorists were neutralised, including a key leader involved in the Buratai attack, while others fled with injuries.
He said troops maintained control of all affected locations despite the intensity of the fighting.
Uba added that troops conducted follow-up operations during which weapons and ammunition, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles and RPG bombs, were recovered.
“The failed attacks indicate the desperation of the terrorists under sustained military pressure,” he said.
He reassured the public that troops remained in control of the affected areas and urged residents to disregard misinformation.