Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Biu Base, Eliminate Several Fighters and Seize Weapons
Nigerian troops operating under the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully stopped an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the operation resulted in significant casualties among the attacking terrorists, while several weapons and items of military equipment were recovered.
According to the military, the insurgents launched a coordinated attack on the base from two directions at about 2:00 a.m. on August 15, 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops detected the advancing fighters through the base’s early-warning and surveillance systems.
A combat team was subsequently deployed to intercept the insurgents along one of their routes of advance.
Captain Goni explained that the encounter led to an intense exchange of gunfire, during which troops successfully overpowered the attackers on that front.
He added that another group of terrorists attempted to evade the ambush and gain entry into the military camp but encountered another strong response from the troops and was also repelled.
The coordinated response forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray. Troops then pursued the fleeing fighters and conducted searches around the area where the confrontation occurred as well as along the routes used during their withdrawal.
The military said several terrorists were killed during the operation, while troops recovered a considerable quantity of weapons and other equipment.
Among the items recovered were AK-47 rifles and loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, a camcorder video camera and other equipment believed to have been used by the fighters.
The military described the operation as evidence of the troops’ preparedness, tactical effectiveness and ability to respond decisively to attacks on their positions.
