Nigerian Troops Foil ISWAP Attack in Borno Community

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a terrorist infiltration attempt by fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Bitta in Sector 1 of Borno State, dealing another setback to the insurgent group.

The development was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday by the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the task force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba. According to the statement, the attempted assault formed part of ISWAP’s efforts to regain momentum after suffering a series of recent battlefield losses.

“The failed attack occurred when ISWAP terrorists, in a desperate bid to regain the initiative after recent battlefield setbacks, attempted to infiltrate the troops’ location.

“Unknown to the terrorists, vigilant OPHK troops had anticipated the move and deliberately prepared a decisive offensive-defensive battle plan,” the statement said.

Military authorities explained that as the insurgents moved toward the troops’ position, soldiers launched coordinated spoiling actions that disrupted the attackers’ formation while also manoeuvring to block their withdrawal routes.

“The attackers were consequently met with overwhelming resistance and superior firepower, forcing them into a chaotic withdrawal while suffering significant losses,” it added.

Military Tightens Grip as ISWAP Attacks Fail

The statement noted that the foiled attack represents the third major defeat recorded by ISWAP fighters within a 24-hour period, following earlier unsuccessful assaults at Banki and Azir Bridge.

Officials further highlighted that the repeated failures demonstrate the sustained operational pressure being exerted by Operation HADIN KAI forces across the theatre of operations.

“These successive setbacks further highlight the continued operational pressure being mounted by the troops of Operation HADIN KAI across the theatre, which has severely constrained the terrorists’ freedom of action and denied them any opportunity to exploit propaganda narratives,” the statement said.

Troops, the military confirmed, “remain firmly in control of all locations and continue to dominate the operational environment with high morale, superior tactical coordination and sustained offensive action.”

The Military High Command also commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, urging them “to sustain the operational tempo,” the statement concluded.