Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by the Nigerian Air Force, have killed no fewer than 75 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a failed attack on a military base in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The insurgents were neutralised during a coordinated counteroffensive by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, with support from the Nigerian Air Force.
Initial reports had put the number of fighters killed at 61, but updated battlefield assessments and mop-up operations confirmed a higher casualty figure, with several others believed to have fled with serious injuries.
A military source familiar with the operation said, “What we are seeing is the result of improved coordination between air and ground forces. The insurgents were detected early and decisively engaged before they could penetrate our defensive lines.”
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when ISWAP fighters reportedly advanced on foot toward the 68 Battalion location, deploying armed drones in an attempt to breach the military’s position. The infiltration, launched from the Duguri axis toward the Bravo Company frontage, was swiftly repelled.
Another source added, “The terrorists attempted to use drones to create confusion, but our troops maintained control and responded with overwhelming firepower.”
Military officials said at least four precision air interdiction strikes were carried out on identified withdrawal routes, significantly degrading the insurgents’ combat capability and disrupting their movement.
“Air support played a critical role. The strikes fixed the insurgents in position and subjected them to sustained bombardment, forcing a chaotic withdrawal,” a security official said.
Additional losses were inflicted through the intervention of allied air assets from neighbouring Niger Republic, which conducted follow-up strikes on fleeing fighters.
A regional security analyst noted, “This operation represents one of the most decisive blows against ISWAP in recent times, particularly because of the coordinated multinational response.”
Troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the battlefield, further weakening the group’s operational capacity in the Lake Chad region.
On the side of government forces, four soldiers sustained minor injuries and have since been stabilised.
A senior officer confirmed, “Our troops are in high spirits. Apart from a few minor injuries, there were no significant casualties on our side, and the mission objective was fully achieved.”