Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, delivering another significant setback to insurgent operations in the North East.
The assault began late on Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday, underscoring the persistent threat posed by extremist groups even as security forces maintain an assertive posture in the region. According to military sources, ISWAP fighters attempted to breach the base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in a planned offensive aimed at overwhelming soldiers engaged in stabilisation operations.
Alert troops detected both VBIEDs at an early stage of the attack and neutralised them through effective defensive fire, preventing them from reaching the heart of the base. CCTV footage from the scene confirmed that several attackers were killed during the ensuing engagement, while others sustained serious injuries. Survivors were observed withdrawing from the battlefield, evacuating their dead and wounded under intense fire from the defenders.
In the aftermath of the foiled assault, soldiers from Sector 3 OPHK, operating alongside elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), launched a coordinated operation to secure the surrounding area at first light on Saturday. The mission received support from the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), reflecting the multi-agency collaboration that has become central to counter-insurgency efforts in the North East.
The exploitation of the enclave led to the discovery of multiple corpses of insurgents and a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition and logistical supplies abandoned during the hasty retreat. Recovered materials included AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, belts of PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, various pieces of combat gear, and medical and sustainment items. According to military authorities, the seizure of such materials significantly degrades the terrorists’ operational capacity and restricts their freedom of movement in the area.
While the destruction of the VBIEDs caused damage to the road at two separate points, there was no breach of the FOB, highlighting the preparedness and resilience of the troops defending the installation. Soldiers have continued to conduct aggressive patrols throughout the wider Mairari area to deter further hostile activity and reassure local communities of a sustained security presence.
This latest success builds on a series of gains recently recorded by Nigerian forces across Borno and neighbouring Yobe State, where OPHK has intensified clearance operations, dismantled insurgent enclaves, interfered with terrorist supply routes and facilitated the safe return of displaced persons to several communities. Collaborative efforts with other security agencies and local vigilante groups have also enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.
Military authorities reaffirmed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute in their mandate to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East. The continued repulsion of high-profile attacks such as the Mairari incident signals a shrinking operational space for insurgents and renewed hope for affected communities in the region.
