Troops repel ISWAP attacks on three Borno bases, kill eight
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on three Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering weapons.
The attempted assaults, which targeted FOBs Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram between the late hours of 28 February and early hours of 1 March 2026, were successfully foiled, with troops maintaining control of the affected locations. The military said the attacks reflected increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves and supply routes across the North-East.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt Col Sani Uba, FOB Mayanti came under heavy attack on 28 February by a large number of insurgents. Troops, supported by reinforcements who navigated ambushes and improvised explosive devices, repelled the assault, killing five terrorists and recovering three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 launchers, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition. An officer was, however, killed during the encounter.
At about 1:15am on 1 March, terrorists armed with PKT guns, RPGs and drones attacked FOB Gajiram but were pushed back by troops with support from air assets. Three insurgents were killed, and items recovered included four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, an armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and poisoned arrows. A wounded soldier was airlifted by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical treatment.
The military also said troops thwarted an attack on FOB Gajigana, maintaining full control of the base.
In separate offensive operations under Sector 2, troops engaged terrorists at Kayawa Village, forcing them to flee and abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles and five bicycles. Soldiers also destroyed identified hideouts and arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers, recovering drugs and medical supplies allegedly used to treat injured fighters.
During an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops reportedly killed two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and a bicycle.
The military affirmed that all affected locations remain under its control, adding that the recoveries and confirmed casualties demonstrate a continued degradation of ISWAP’s combat capacity in the region.
