RismadarVoice Reporters,May 10, 2026
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori under Sector 2, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.
The attack, which began late Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday, was successfully foiled through a coordinated air-land operation involving ground troops, the Air Component of OPHK and the Nigerian Army Aviation.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the terrorists advanced toward the battalion location from the Mandunari axis at about midnight but were detected early by an ambush team.
Troops subsequently launched what the military described as a “well-coordinated spoiling attack,” trapping the insurgents in a devastating killing zone.
The military stated that the terrorists failed to breach the camp and no equipment was lost during the encounter.
Air assets were later deployed to support ground troops in targeting the fleeing insurgents, resulting in what the military described as the total defeat of the attackers.
“Platforms from the Air Component of OPHK and the Nigerian Army Aviation completed a well-synchronised air-land assault that decimated the retreating insurgents,” the statement said.
Military exploitation of the area reportedly revealed extensive blood trails, body parts and battle damage believed to indicate heavy casualties among the terrorists.
Troops also recovered several weapons and ammunition, including one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles and belts of assorted ammunition, alongside other personal effects.
The military added that wounded soldiers involved in the operation were in stable condition and receiving medical attention.
Exploitation and pursuit operations are ongoing to track fleeing terrorists and consolidate gains recorded during the operation.
Operation HADIN KAI said the successful defence of the Gonori base underscores the operational readiness of troops and the continued pressure being mounted against terrorist groups in the North East theatre.
