By Abdullahi Inuwa
An audacious attempt by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters to overrun a military base in Borno State has ended in heavy losses for the insurgents, after troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled the attack with superior firepower and tactical precision.
The terrorists launched the coordinated assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau, in Biu Local Government Area, at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, attacking from two separate directions in what appeared to be a calculated attempt to breach the military position.
However, the plan quickly unravelled after troops detected the advancing fighters through the base’s early-warning and surveillance systems.
Acting swiftly, troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion deployed a combat team to intercept the terrorists along one of their approach routes. The encounter triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire, but the troops held their ground and decisively pushed back the attackers.
Undeterred, a second group of terrorists attempted to circumvent the ambush and infiltrate the base from another direction.
That move also ended in failure.
The soldiers met the infiltrators with overwhelming firepower, forcing the attackers into a disorderly retreat. Troops subsequently launched a hot pursuit, exploiting the contact area and the routes used by the fleeing insurgents.
The operation reportedly inflicted significant casualties on the terrorists, with several fighters neutralised during the engagement.
Troops also recovered an assortment of weapons and combat equipment, including AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, as well as a camcorder and other operational items.
Further evidence of the insurgents’ losses emerged from surveillance footage reviewed after the battle. The footage reportedly showed fleeing ISWAP fighters dragging the bodies of some of their dead comrades towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
In a significant boost for the troops, no casualty was recorded on the military side during the fierce encounter.
The successful defence of FOB Mandaragirau underscores the growing emphasis on early detection, rapid response and aggressive counter-offensive operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
The Theatre Command praised the 162 Amphibious Battalion for its courage, professionalism and tactical effectiveness, describing the troops’ response as a demonstration of combat readiness and battlefield dominance.
The latest victory also comes as security forces continue efforts to deny insurgents freedom of movement and operational space across the North-East.
Operation HADIN KAI has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups, disrupting their operations and protecting communities across the region.
For the insurgents who targeted Mandaragirau in the early hours of Saturday, what was intended as a bold assault instead became another costly setback—with their attack repelled, weapons abandoned and several of their fighters left dead.
The battle may have begun in darkness, but the outcome was unmistakable: the terrorists were stopped in their tracks.
Source: Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
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