Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, operating under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully repelled a series of coordinated terrorist attacks targeting military positions in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok in Borno State, neutralising several insurgent commanders during the fierce engagements. According to a press release issued on Friday, the attacks began at about 2230 hours and lasted until approximately 0300 hours, as insurgents launched desperate attempts to overrun troops’ defensive positions across multiple locations. However, vigilant soldiers mounted a determined resistance, holding their ground despite the intensity of the assaults.
Military authorities said troops executed well-coordinated defensive and offensive manoeuvres, including simultaneous flanking actions supported by reinforcement teams drawn from Sectors 1 and 2 of the theatre. The swift response forced the attackers into disorganised retreats after suffering heavy casualties. During the engagements, several terrorist leaders, including key Amirs who were reportedly orchestrating attacks on civilians and orchestrating recruitment drives for the insurgent group, were neutralised alongside numerous insurgent fighters.
Although parts of some military structures sustained damage due to the intensity of the firefights, the military confirmed that all bases remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI forces. The operation was further reinforced by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, which carried out precision air strikes overnight against fleeing terrorist elements and identified hostile positions. The strikes reportedly neutralised additional insurgents and significantly degraded the attackers’ fighting capability.
Troops have since commenced exploitation operations across the affected areas, with ongoing efforts to recover terrorist bodies, weapons and other combat equipment abandoned during the failed assaults. However, the military also confirmed that some soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty, including a gallant officer who led his troops from the front during the counter-attack. Military authorities described their sacrifice as a reflection of the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defending the nation and protecting innocent citizens.
Security analysts note that the failed multi-pronged assaults highlight the growing desperation of terrorist groups under sustained military pressure across the North-East theatre. Despite the attempted attacks, the military reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains firmly in control of the battlespace, continuing its operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and restoring lasting stability to the region.
