By Momodu Favour

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai, working in close coordination with the Nigerian Air Force, have neutralised at least 61 suspected ISWAP fighters following a failed infiltration attempt in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources familiar with the operation said the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Wednesday, advancing on foot while deploying armed drones in what was described as a desperate effort to breach the defensive positions of troops stationed at the 68 Battalion.

According to the sources, the assault, which came through the frontage of Bravo Company from the Duguri axis, was met with heavy resistance and superior coordination between ground troops and air components.

The troops, backed by precision air strikes, engaged the attackers in a fierce battle that resulted in significant casualties among the insurgents.

Military insiders said the success of the operation was largely due to effective integration of air and ground manoeuvres, which enabled forces to detect, fix, and neutralise enemy positions.

“Our forces executed four highly effective air interdiction strikes on identified enemy concentrations, severely degrading their combat capability,” a source said. “The synergy between air and land forces denied the terrorists freedom of movement and forced a disorderly withdrawal toward the Arege area.”

The sources added that additional support from allied air assets of neighbouring Niger Republic intensified pressure on the retreating fighters, although full battle damage assessments from those strikes are still ongoing.

Despite the intensity of the encounter, military authorities confirmed that only four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the operation. The injured personnel have since been stabilised.

The latest development underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian and regional forces to dismantle insurgent networks in the North-East and restore stability to affected communities.