Troops Rescue Abductees, Repel ISWAP Attack In North-East As Military Intensifies Offensive Operations

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has recorded fresh operational gains in the North-East, with troops rescuing abductees, repelling an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, arresting suspected terrorist collaborators and disrupting logistics networks supporting insurgents.

Key Highlights

• Troops rescue abductees during a search-and-rescue operation in Borno State.
• ISWAP attack on a military base in Ngala successfully repelled.
• One soldier killed while terrorists suffered heavy casualties.
• Suspected terrorist logistics suppliers arrested in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• AK-47 rifle, ammunition, cash, medical supplies and logistics recovered.
• Six suspected ISWAP members and their families surrendered to troops.
• Military vows to sustain offensive operations against terrorists.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said troops continued intelligence-led operations, search-and-rescue missions and coordinated security offensives aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement across the region.

According to the statement, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion rescued two abductees during a search-and-rescue operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on July 7.

The operation also led to the recovery of N1.2 million suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, alongside food items and other logistics believed to have supported terrorist operations.

The rescued victims have been evacuated to a secure location, where they are receiving medical care and psychosocial support.

Troops Repel ISWAP Attack

The military also disclosed that troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Logomani in Ngala Local Government Area successfully repelled a coordinated attack launched by ISWAP fighters.

Although the insurgents briefly breached part of the base’s defensive perimeter, troops regrouped and mounted a counter-offensive, forcing the attackers to retreat with significant casualties and varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

One soldier lost his life during the encounter, while two gun trucks and some combat equipment were damaged.

The military said reinforcements have since been deployed to the area, with exploitation operations continuing to strengthen security around the base.

Arrests and Weapons Recovery

Elsewhere, troops of the 232 Battalion arrested a suspected criminal in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State following credible intelligence.

The operation led to the recovery of:

One AK-47 rifle

Two magazines

Twenty-eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition

The suspect remains in military custody while investigations continue.

Logistics Suppliers Arrested

Troops of the 149 Battalion also arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

Recovered items included:

Cash

A Volkswagen Golf vehicle

Construction materials

Household items

Other supplies allegedly meant for terrorist groups

In another operation, troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by fleeing insurgents during a clearance operation around Wulgo.

Six ISWAP Members Surrender

The military further disclosed that six suspected ISWAP members, alongside their families, voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion in Sector One.

Preliminary investigations indicated that they fled terrorist enclaves at Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the group included:

N1.541 million in cash

Two Tecno mobile phones

Personal belongings

Medical Supplies Intercepted

At the Molai checkpoint, troops arrested another suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier found transporting a large quantity of medical supplies allegedly destined for terrorist groups without the necessary clearance.

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Similarly, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, working with local hunters in Tarmuwa Local Government Area, intercepted another suspected logistics supplier and recovered five motorcycle tyres believed to have been intended for insurgents.

Military Reaffirms Commitment

Operation HADIN KAI said the latest successes demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained military offensives, intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies in disrupting terrorist activities across the North-East.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to continuing search-and-rescue operations until all abducted persons are safely reunited with their families.

It also warned individuals involved in supplying food, fuel, construction materials, transportation or any form of logistics to terrorist groups to desist, stressing that anyone found aiding terrorism would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.