Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have foiled an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attack on Mairari community with the lost of two soldiers and a Civilian Joint Task Force CJTF) member in Borno state.

The military said the three security personnel were killed during an exchange of gunfire with terrorists in the early hours Thursday.

In a statement released in Maiduguri, the acting Media Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Gont disclosed: “The attack occurred at about 11:25 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the Forward Operating Base in Mairari.

According to him, troops stationed at the Army base engaged the attackers in a prolonged firefight and forced them to retreat after recovering several weapons and military items from the scene.

The military also stated that surveillance conducted after the fierce encounter indicated that the attackers evacuated some of their dead and wounded from the battlefield.

Goni added that the casualty figures on the attackers were not independently verified.

“The attack came only weeks after more than 950 households reportedly returned to Mairari under an ongoing resettlement programme aimed at restoring normal life in communities previously displaced by insurgency,” he said..

The military authorities said there were no civilian casualties were recorded during the attack, despite what they described as an attempt by the insurgents to disrupt the resettlement process and intimidate returning residents.

While mourning the fallen personnel, the Theatre Command said two soldiers and one CJTF member were killed during the operation, while some military equipment was damaged by rocket-propelled grenade fire.

“The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” the statement said.

In a related operation, a reinforcement team from Monguno reportedly detected and safely detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along an access route before engaging the fleeing attackers.

Operation HADIN KAI has remained at the forefront of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, where security forces continue to conduct clearance operations against insurgent groups while supporting the gradual resettlement of communities affected by years of conflict.

The military said the operation demonstrated the continued operational readiness of troops deployed in the North-East and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgent groups across the region.