Troops repel ISWAP attack, kill 25 in Borno

Nigerian troops have killed more than 25 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists after repelling a coordinated attack on a military position in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions, but soldiers, backed by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, repelled the assault after a fierce gun battle.

The military said 14 bodies of the insurgents had been recovered so far.

Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said a preliminary assessment indicated that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised.

“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” Goni said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles, following the encounter.

The military said some soldiers were also killed during the operation, while expressing condolences to their families.

Goni said troops were conducting further operations in the area to recover additional weapons, track terrorists who fled the battlefield and prevent them from regrouping.

“Further exploitation is ongoing to recover additional weapons, track the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping,” he said.

The operation forms part of ongoing military offensives against terrorist groups in the North-East.

The Army said troops would sustain patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies to disrupt terrorist networks and protect communities.