From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HadinKai (OPHK), has once again demonstrated its resilience and combat superiority as troops of CIB XIX at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari successfully repelled a determined night attack by ISWAP terrorists in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement signed and issued in Abuja by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, at about 11:25 p.m., when the terrorists launched an assault on the base.
The troops responded with exceptional gallantry, engaging the attackers in a fierce firefight and forcing them to retreat in disarray after inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and destroying their equipment.
Items recovered included AK-47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, among other weapons.
Surveillance footage further confirmed the evacuation of several dead and wounded terrorists from the battlefield.
It will be recalled that the Mairari community had only recently been resettled, with more than 950 households returning to the area.
The attack was a desperate attempt by the terrorists to instill fear among residents and disrupt the ongoing resettlement process.
However, their objective was thwarted, as no civilian casualties were recorded during the attack.
Regrettably, two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) paid the supreme price during the intense encounter. In addition, a few pieces of equipment were damaged by Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire.
The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones.
In a related development, a reinforcement team from Monguno successfully detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the route before engaging the fleeing terrorists.
The swift intervention further disrupted the insurgents’ withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties on them.
The successful repulsion of the attack underscores the high level of operational readiness, resilience, and combat effectiveness of the troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
Despite the terrorists’ desperate attempt to overrun the location, the troops maintained full control of the base and continue to dominate the operational environment through sustained offensive operations.
The Theatre Command commended the courage, resilience, and fighting spirit of the troops for defeating the terrorists and denying them any operational success.
Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the North East.
