Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a terrorist attack on Kukawa in Borno State, killing at least 26 insurgents in a coordinated ground and air operation.
The terrorists reportedly attacked troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion stationed in Kukawa, but encountered stiff resistance from the soldiers, who responded with direct and indirect fire.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Mohammed Goni, the Army said the troops successfully pushed back the attackers, forcing them to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
Several terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the gun battle, while others were observed sustaining gunshot wounds as they fled. Subsequent ground operations also led to the recovery of terrorist corpses.
As the fleeing terrorists attempted to escape on motorcycles, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was deployed to intercept them.
Despite difficult weather conditions, the military said aircraft successfully struck terrorists who had taken cover beneath trees, killing an estimated 10.
The Multi-National Joint Task Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets subsequently tracked about 20 motorcycles carrying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
Based on the intelligence, the Air Component carried out a follow-up precision strike, killing another 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
Ground troops later recovered two motorcycles and killed an additional terrorist during follow-up operations. Assorted ammunition and other items were also recovered from the area.
The military said the coordinated operation not only frustrated the attack on Kukawa but also disrupted the terrorists’ attempt to regroup and significantly reduced their mobility and fighting capability.
Following the engagement, troops were supplied by air with essential combat resources to sustain operations and maintain pressure on the fleeing terrorists.
Four military personnel sustained injuries during the encounter but none was life-threatening, according to the military. The wounded soldiers were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were said to be in stable condition.
Troops have since commenced reorganisation and further exploitation of the operational area, while battle damage assessment and a comprehensive evaluation of the encounter continue.
The successful defence of Kukawa, according to the Joint Task Force, underscored the effectiveness of combining ground forces, air power and intelligence assets in counter-terrorism operations.
Operation HADIN KAI said it would sustain offensive operations, intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated air and ground actions to degrade terrorist capabilities, restrict their freedom of movement and protect communities across the North-East.