Three security personnel killed as troops foil Borno ISWAP attack

A midnight attack by the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military base in Mairari, Borno State, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The incident occurred as troops at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari successfully repelled the determined assault.

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The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has once again demonstrated its resilience and combat superiority as troops of CIB XIX at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari successfully repelled a determined night attack by ISWAP terrorists in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to Capt. Muhammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the North East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, the troops responded with exceptional gallantry. The fierce firefight forced the ISWAP terrorists to withdraw in confusion after sustaining heavy casualties and having their equipment destroyed. Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, and rocket-propelled gun tubes. Surveillance footage confirmed that the terrorists evacuated several dead and wounded members from the battlefield.

The attack, which took place on July 1, 2026, at approximately 2325 hours, is seen as a desperate attempt by the terrorists to instill fear among residents and disrupt the ongoing resettlement process in the Mairari community. This community had recently seen over 950 households return. However, their objective was thwarted, and no civilian casualties were reported.

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Regrettably, two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) paid the supreme price during the intense encounter.

Regrettably, two soldiers and one CJTF member "paid the supreme price" during the intense encounter. Some military equipment sustained damage from rocket-propelled grenade fire. The theatre command mourned the fallen heroes and extended condolences to their families. In a related development, a reinforcement team successfully detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the terrorists' withdrawal route, further disrupting their escape and inflicting additional casualties.

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However, their objective was thwarted, as no civilian casualties were recorded in the community during the attack.

Goni stated that the successful repulsion of the attack underscores the high level of operational readiness, resilience, and combat effectiveness of the troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai. The swift intervention by the reinforcement team further disrupted the insurgents' withdrawal, inflicting additional casualties.

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The swift intervention further disrupted the insurgents' withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties.