Dare Babalola
The Nigerian military has dealt a significant blow to Boko Haram insurgents, neutralizing several key leaders and terrorists in a series of midnight attacks on four military locations across Borno State.
According to a statement on Friday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, confirmed that the attacks, which lasted for over five hours between Thursday and Friday, occurred around Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok.
Uba said the desperate attacks were launched between approximately 2230hrs on Thursday and 0300hrs on Friday.
The statement read, “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have once again successfully thwarted coordinated terrorist attempts to overrun troops’ locations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok.
“The desperate attacks, launched between approximately 2230hrs uptill 0300 hours this morning, were met with overwhelming resistance from alert and determined troops who firmly held their defensive positions despite the intensity of the assaults,” the statement partly read.
He said troops launched a well-coordinated response, executing simultaneous flanking manoeuvres with reinforcement teams from Sectors 1 and 2, decisively repelling the attackers and forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“In some isolated instances where sections of the defensive perimeter were temporarily breached, troops swiftly counter-attacked and fully regained control of their positions”, the statement added.
Uba stated that several terrorist leaders, including key Amirs, were neutralised during the intense battles, and numerous insurgent fighters were eliminated in the counter-offensive.
“Although some structures within the locations sustained damage during the intense firefights, all bases remain firmly under the control of OPHK troops”, the statement continued.
Uba further disclosed that, in close coordination with the Air Component, multiple precision air strikes were conducted overnight against fleeing terrorist elements and identified hostile positions, further neutralising scores of insurgents and degrading their fighting capability.
“Ground troops are currently conducting exploitation operations across the affected areas, with recovery of terrorist corpses, weapons and other combat equipment ongoing,” he stated.
He, however, noted that a number of soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
“Regrettably, a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty, including a gallant officer who fought courageously from the front while leading his troops against the attackers.
“Their sacrifice reflects the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to defending the nation and protecting innocent citizens,” he said.
According to him, the failed attacks underscore the increasing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure across the theatre.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains firmly in control of the battlespace,” he assured.
