Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have repelled an attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Koulfoua Island, located in the Lake Chad region.

According to a statement by the MNJTF, the attempted invasion, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, saw the insurgents launch a coordinated assault on the MNJTF military base stationed on the island.

“However, the troops, operating under Sector 2 of the MNJTF, responded swiftly with superior firepower, decisively thwarting the attack,” MNJTF said.

“In the ensuing battle, a key Boko Haram commander identified as Amir Dumkei was killed alongside five other fighters. The MNJTF also recovered a significant cache of weapons, including nine AK-47 rifles, three boats, and a large quantity of ammunition.”

According to Olaniyi Osoba, Chief Military Public Information Officer of the MNJTF, the insurgents were overwhelmed by intense artillery shelling and coordinated ground fire from the troops, forcing many of them to flee with gunshot wounds.

It noted that clearance operations are currently ongoing in the area as troops pursue the remnants of the fleeing terrorists to prevent any regrouping.

The statement further noted that the MNJTF, which comprises military contingents from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, has intensified its counterinsurgency campaign in the Lake Chad Basin, a region long plagued by extremist violence.

Godwin Mutkut, Force Commander of the MNJTF, praised the gallantry and professionalism of the troops.

He reaffirmed the Task Force’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace to communities in the Lake Chad region.