Nigerian Troops Neutralize 38 ISWAP Terrorists in Decisive Repel of Attack on Borno Military Base

Operation HADIN KAI troops defeat an ISWAP attack on a Borno military base, neutralizing 38 terrorists and recovering heavy weaponry.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 8:06 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Channels Television

Coordinated Response to FOB Mandaragirau Assault

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) delivered a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Saturday, March 28. According to a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for OPHK, the insurgents attempted what was described as a "half-hearted attack" on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau. The military responded with a high-intensity "offensive-defensive" strategy, utilizing well-coordinated ambushes that fractured the enemy's formation and forced a disorganized retreat.

Air Support and Kinetic Dominance

The success of the ground operations was bolstered by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) feedback allowed for precise kinetic responses, while close air support decimated insurgent positions during their withdrawal. This synergy between ground and air forces prevented the attackers from regrouping, leading to heavy losses along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis. Military leadership noted that the sustained pressure ensured the terrorists were denied any freedom of action within the immediate vicinity of the base.

Heavy Casualties and Hardware Recovery

Preliminary assessments indicate that a total of 38 terrorists were neutralized during the engagement. While eight bodies were recovered directly at the scene, human intelligence from local sources confirmed that over 30 additional bodies remain scattered along the fringes of the "Timbuktu Triangle." In addition to the loss of personnel, the military recovered an arsenal of weaponry, including seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and four RPG bombs. While one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was struck by RPG fire, the military reported no fatalities among the troops, with injured personnel currently in stable condition.