Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised a dozen terrorists and foiled an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attack on Mandaragirau community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno state.

The military said the foil of attack occurred on August 15, 2026 along the 100-kilometre Damboa-Biu road

In a statement yesterday in Maiduguri, the OPHK acting Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni said: “The ground troops recorded yet another decisive operational success as troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion decisively defeated an attempted ISWAP terrorist attack on their location at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau.”

He said the Saturday incident led to the neutralisation of many ISWAP terrorists, with the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles and ammunition at the Mandaragirau FOB.

The statement reads in part: “At about 0200 hours on 15 August 2026, the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts.

“On detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, a combat team was promptly dispatched to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.

“Contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front.

“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated.”

He added that the coordinated and aggressive response forced the insurgents to withdraw in disarray, after which troops launched an immediate pursuit and thoroughly exploited the contact area as well as their withdrawal routes,” Goni said.

Beyond the foul of attack, he said: “In a clear demonstration of tactical proficiency and combat dominance, the troops neutralized several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcoder video camera and several other combat enablers.

“Subsequent footages obtained from the surveillance systems further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their cohorts killed towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

Goni added that the successful defeat of this multi-pronged attack further highlighted the high state of readiness, aggressive posture, and operational effectiveness of OPHK troops with the additional impetus from the military high command.

The Theatre Command commended the leadership, courage, and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault,” Goni explained.

Operation HADIN KAI, according to him, remains resolute in its determination to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action, and restore lasting peace and security across the Northeast.