Joint air-ground operations repel insurgent advance
Troops recover weapons as four soldiers sustain minor injuries
The death toll of insurgents neutralised during a failed infiltration attempt on military positions in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, has risen to 75, marking one of the most decisive recent setbacks for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to security sources, initial reports had put the number of fighters killed at 61 following a coordinated response by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force.
However, updated battlefield assessments and subsequent mop-up operations indicate that at least 75 insurgents were neutralised, while several others reportedly escaped with severe injuries.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when ISWAP fighters advanced on foot toward the 68 Battalion base, allegedly deploying armed drones in a bid to breach defensive lines. The infiltration, launched from the Duguri axis toward the Bravo Company frontage, was promptly detected and repelled by troops.
Military sources attributed the success of the operation to enhanced coordination between air and ground forces, underscoring the increasing effectiveness of joint-force synergy in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East.
At least four precision air interdiction strikes were carried out on identified withdrawal routes, significantly degrading the insurgents’ combat capability and disrupting their movement. The sustained aerial bombardment forced the fighters into a disorderly retreat toward the Arege axis.
The operation was further reinforced by allied air support from the Niger Republic, which conducted additional strike missions on fleeing insurgents. While a full battle damage assessment is still underway, security analysts believe the combined air power contributed substantially to the rising casualty figures.
Troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the battlefield, dealing a further blow to ISWAP’s operational capacity within the Lake Chad region.
On the side of government forces, four soldiers sustained minor injuries and have since been treated and stabilised.
