Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) of the Nigerian Army have repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, Borno State, dealing another major setback to terrorist operations in the North East.
The failed assault, which began late on Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday, underscores the growing operational dominance of Nigerian forces in the region.
According to military sources, the terrorists attempted to breach the base using two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) as part of a planned offensive aimed at overwhelming troops engaged in stabilisation operations.
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Vigilant soldiers were said to have detected both VBIEDs early and neutralised them through effective defensive fire, preventing any penetration of the base. CCTV footage from the scene confirmed that several terrorists were killed during the engagement, while others sustained serious injuries. Surviving fighters were observed fleeing the area, evacuating their dead and wounded under fire.
In the aftermath of the foiled attack, troops of Sector 3 OPHK, operating in conjunction with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), launched a coordinated exploitation of the surrounding area at first light on Saturday.
The operation was supported by the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The search led to the recovery of multiple terrorist corpses and a significant cache of weapons and logistics abandoned during the hasty retreat.
Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, belts of PKT rounds, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, combat gear, as well as medical and sustainment supplies. Military authorities noted that the seizure of these materials further degrades the terrorists’ ability to mount future attacks and limits their freedom of movement within the area.
Although the destruction of the two VBIEDs caused damage to the road at two separate points, no breach of the FOB was recorded, highlighting the preparedness, resilience, and fighting spirit of the troops. Soldiers have since continued aggressive patrols around Mairari to forestall further terrorist activity and reassure local communities of a sustained security presence.
The latest success builds on a series of recent gains recorded by Nigerian forces across Borno and Yobe States. In recent months, OPHK has intensified clearance operations, dismantled terrorist enclaves, disrupted supply routes, and facilitated the safe return of displaced persons to several communities. Sustained collaboration with sister security agencies and local vigilante groups has also improved intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.
Military authorities reaffirmed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute in their mandate to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East. The continued repulsion of high-profile attacks such as the Mairari incident signals a shrinking operational space for insurgents and renewed hope for affected communities in the region.
