In a decisive show of force, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have dealt a crushing blow to insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, neutralising no fewer than 61 ISWAP terrorists during a failed infiltration attempt in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The coordinated operation, executed by the Nigerian Army in close synergy with the Nigerian Air Force, unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday when heavily armed insurgents launched a daring assault on military positions.
Security sources revealed that the terrorists, advancing on foot and deploying armed drones, targeted the 68 Battalion formation in what appeared to be a desperate bid to breach the troops’ defensive lines. The attack was said to have originated from the Duguri axis, pushing through the frontage of Bravo Company.
However, the insurgents met fierce resistance as troops responded with overwhelming firepower, backed by precision air strikes that turned the tide of battle within hours.
“The terrorists walked into a well-coordinated trap,” a source familiar with the operation disclosed. “Our forces combined ground manoeuvres with sustained aerial bombardments, ensuring the enemy was fixed, targeted and decisively neutralised.”
Military insiders confirmed that at least four high-impact air interdiction strikes were carried out on identified enemy positions, effectively crippling the terrorists’ operational capability and scattering their formations.
The seamless integration of air and ground operations proved decisive, denying the insurgents any room for manoeuvre and forcing a chaotic retreat toward the Arege general area after suffering devastating losses.
“The synergy between the Nigerian Army and Air Force was exceptional. The insurgents could neither advance nor regroup. They were overwhelmed on all fronts,” the source added.
In a further boost to the operation, allied air support from neighbouring Niger Republic reportedly joined the offensive, launching additional strike passes on fleeing insurgents and compounding their losses. Assessment of the full impact of these allied strikes is ongoing.
Despite the intensity of the engagement, the military recorded minimal casualties on its side. Four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the firefight but have since been treated and stabilised, according to operational reports.
The successful defence of Malam Fatori marks another significant milestone in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the Lake Chad region, where troops have continued to intensify pressure on ISWAP and other terrorist factions.
Security analysts say the operation underscores the growing effectiveness of joint-force coordination and the increasing reliance on intelligence-driven, technology-backed warfare in dismantling terrorist networks.
Residents in nearby communities have expressed cautious relief following the development, even as military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at restoring lasting peace across the troubled region.
With this latest victory, the Armed Forces have once again sent a strong message to insurgent groups: Nigeria’s resolve to defeat terrorism remains unshaken.
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