An ISWAP attack in Borno has left Nigerian soldiers dead after militants targeted the 101 Special Forces Battalion in Kukawa. The assault happened on Tuesday night, October 6, when the insurgents attacked the military position from four different directions.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded to the attack with ground operations supported by the Air Component. The military said the soldiers eventually pushed back the attackers and forced surviving fighters to flee the area.
The Nigerian Army also reported heavy losses among the militants, with more than 25 ISWAP fighters killed during the counter-operation.
Militants Launch Coordinated Attack on Military Base
According to the Nigerian Army, ISWAP fighters approached the 101 Special Forces Battalion in large numbers and attacked from four flanks. The coordinated assault put pressure on the military position before troops mounted a strong response.
Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, said the soldiers used superior firepower and battlefield manoeuvres to contain the attack.
The troops also received support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai during the operation. The combined response forced the surviving militants to withdraw after suffering heavy casualties.
The Army said a preliminary assessment showed that more than 25 terrorists had been killed. Troops also recovered 14 bodies from the battlefield.
The operation produced further recoveries as soldiers searched the area after the fighting. According to the military, troops found six AK-47 rifles and other ammunition believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing militants.
The Army said its troops were continuing the search for additional weapons and were tracking the militants who escaped from the area.
Soldiers Killed During Fierce Encounter
While the military successfully repelled the assault, the operation also resulted in the deaths of Nigerian soldiers.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that some soldiers died during the encounter but did not release an official number. Captain Goni expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel and praised their service and sacrifice.
However, a senior military officer told the Associated Press that the assault killed 10 Nigerian soldiers. The officer spoke anonymously because military authorities had not authorised him to disclose the casualty figure publicly. The Army has not independently confirmed the 10-soldier figure.
The difference between the Army’s statement and the officer’s account means the exact military death toll remains unclear.
The attack also shows the continued danger faced by troops stationed in parts of northeastern Nigeria, where insurgent groups have maintained the ability to target military positions.
Army Continues Operations in Kukawa
Following the attack, Nigerian troops began further operations around the military position to prevent the fleeing militants from regrouping.
The Army said its forces would continue aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated activities with other security agencies. The military also plans to maintain pressure on terrorist networks operating across the North-East.
Operation Hadin Kai remains Nigeria’s principal counter-insurgency operation against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the region. It combines ground troops, air support and other security assets in operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Kukawa sits along the Lake Chad axis, an area that has remained a major theatre of insurgent activity. ISWAP has repeatedly targeted military positions in northeastern Nigeria, seeking to weaken security forces and obtain weapons.
The latest ISWAP attack in Borno therefore adds to the security challenges confronting Nigerian troops in the region. Although the military repelled the assault and reported significant militant casualties, the deaths of Nigerian soldiers highlight the risks faced by personnel deployed against insurgent groups.
The Nigerian Army has not released further details on the identities or exact number of soldiers killed as operations continue in the area.