Five soldiers, three CJTF members killed as troops repel terrorist attack in fresh onslaught
Five soldiers, three CJTF members killed as troops repel terrorist attack in fresh onslaught
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau under the 25 Brigade, Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a terrorist attack on their position in Borno State, killing several insurgents during a fierce gun battle.
The military disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the statement, the attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. when suspected terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military formation under the cover of heavy rainfall and poor visibility.
The troops reportedly mounted a swift counter-offensive, engaging the attackers in an intense firefight that forced them to retreat after suffering casualties.
Despite successfully defending the base, the military said five soldiers paid the supreme price during the confrontation, while three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were also killed.
The statement noted that the encounter involved close-quarter combat and resulted in damage to some military equipment.
Several personnel sustained injuries during the operation and were evacuated by the Air Component Command for urgent medical attention.
“The wounded have been promptly airlifted and are currently in stable condition while receiving appropriate medical care,” the statement said.
Operation HADIN KAI said troops remain firmly in control of the Forward Operating Base and have continued clearance and exploitation operations around the area to track fleeing insurgents and prevent further attacks.
The military described the attempted invasion as evidence of the mounting pressure being exerted on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
It added that additional troops and combat resources have been deployed across the theatre to sustain ongoing offensives and strengthen security around vulnerable communities.
