RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with the military reporting that more than 25 fighters were killed.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the attack targeted troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion and was launched simultaneously from four directions.
According to him, the troops, supported by the Air Component, responded with coordinated manoeuvres and firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” Goni said.
He said six AK-47 rifles, ammunition and other weapons were recovered during the operation.
The military said troops had begun further operations in the area to recover additional weapons, track fleeing fighters and prevent them from regrouping.
Goni also confirmed that some Nigerian soldiers were killed during the fighting, although he did not provide a casualty figure.
The military extended condolences to the families of the personnel who died and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
According to Goni, the response demonstrated the readiness of troops and the importance of coordination between ground forces and air support during operations.
He added that troops would continue patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and protecting communities across the region.
