Troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Kukawa Town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, have repelled an attack by terrorists who attempted to breach their camp using a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) from the Gudumbali axis.

The Nigerian Army in a statement on Wednesday, said the terrorists attacked the troops while mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles on November 25, 2024.

The army said the troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, bolstered by support from the Air Component and the Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command.

During the confrontation, 12 terrorists were neutralised, while many others fled with gunshot wounds.

The items recovered from the terrorists included five AK-47 rifles, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, two Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns, one QJC gun, one NSV heavy machine gun, 40 motorcycles and 152 rounds of Shilka ammunition, among others.

The confrontation also led to the destruction of four out of seven VBIEDs deployed by the terrorists.

“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the ultimate price during the attack. Efforts to clear and exploit the area are ongoing, with house-to-house searches being conducted to ensure the area is secure,” the army said.

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede, commended the troops for their courage and urged them to sustain their momentum with ongoing clearance operations and fighting patrols.