The Nigerian Army on Sunday said its troops under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled multiple coordinated attacks by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Gajigana, Gajiram and Mayanti, recovering heavy arms and ammunition while inflicting significant casualties on the insurgents.
The Army however confirmed that one officer lost his life during the encounter.
Spokesperson of Headquarters the OPHK Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said in a statement that the coordinated attacked on the bases and the failed assaults occurred between the late hours of February 28 and the early hours of March 1, 2026.
The attacks, the statement noted, reflect increasing desperation by terrorist elements facing sustained pressure on their enclaves, logistics routes and leadership structures.
The statement stated that while the attack on Gajigana was successfully thwarted with troops maintaining full control of their position, the engagements at Mayanti and Gajiram resulted in heavy terrorist losses and substantial recovery of combat equipment.
The Joint Task Force said its sustained offensive posture continues to deny insurgents freedom of action, forcing them into disorderly retreats.
According to the statement: “On February 28, 2026, FOB Mayanti came under heavy assault by a large number of terrorists. Despite intense enemy fire, troops reportedly held their ground as reinforcements advanced through ambushes and improvised explosive device (IED) threats to repel the attackers.
“Exploitation of the battlefield confirmed five terrorist corpses and the recovery of three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 tubes, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition. Blood trails observed at the scene indicated additional casualties. The military, however, confirmed that one officer lost his life during the encounter.
“Similarly, at about 0115 hours on March 1, 2026, terrorists armed with PKT guns, RPGs and armed drones attacked FOB Gajiram but were repelled by troops with support from air assets. Three terrorist bodies were recovered along their withdrawal route, alongside four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, one armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition and poisoned arrows. One wounded soldier was airlifted by a Nigerian Army Aviation helicopter for advanced medical care.
“In related 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 life-support structures and arrested two confessed ISWAP logistics suppliers, recovering drugs and medical consumables allegedly used to treat wounded insurgents.
“Additionally, during an ambush around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, a bicycle and other items. Military authorities stated that all affected locations remain firmly under the control of troops, adding that the scale of recoveries and confirmed enemy losses demonstrates the degrading combat capacity of ISWAP elements in the North East.”
