Four soldiers injured in repelled terror attack on Borno military base

Four soldiers were injured in a repelled terror attack on a military base in Kukawa, Borno State, according to a statement released by the Operation Hadin Kai joint task force. The assault took place late on 28 August when militants targeted the 101 Special Forces Battalion stationed at the base. The attack was thwarted through a combination of ground and aerial responses, resulting in the deaths of approximately 26 terrorists. The incident marked a significant operation involving both direct and indirect fire from the military, as well as strategic air support. The attack began around 10:50 p.m., when militants launched an assault against the troops. According to Mohammed Goni, the spokesperson for the task force, the soldiers responded swiftly with gunfire, compelling the attackers to retreat toward the Cross Kauwa axis. During the engagement, several militants were neutralized, while others were seen fleeing the scene with visible injuries. Following the initial confrontation, the military conducted follow-up operations to recover the bodies of some of the fallen attackers. As the remaining militants attempted to escape using motorcycles, the air component of the task force intervened. Despite challenging weather conditions, air strikes were deployed to target terrorists who had taken cover among trees. These strikes reportedly eliminated an estimated 10 fighters. Subsequently, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) identified about 20 motorcycles transporting fleeing militants heading towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis. This led to another precision air strike, which neutralized an additional 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles, severely limiting the group's mobility and combat effectiveness. On the ground, troops recovered two motorcycles, killed one more militant, and confiscated various types of ammunition and other supplies during subsequent exploitation operations. The combined efforts of ground and air units effectively disrupted the attack, preventing the militants from withdrawing and significantly diminishing their capacity to regroup or conduct prolonged operations in the region. After the encounter, the military received essential combat equipment via air drops to maintain operational readiness. According to Goni, four soldiers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the engagement. They were immediately evacuated by air for further medical treatment and are currently in stable condition. Troops have since initiated reorganization efforts and are conducting extensive exploitation of the affected area. Ongoing assessments of battle damage and evaluations of the encounter continue to take place. Goni emphasized that the successful defense of Kukawa showcased the task force's capability to detect, contain, and decisively respond to terrorist threats through the effective integration of ground forces, air assets, and intelligence capabilities. He reiterated the commitment of the task force to maintaining offensive operations, intelligence-led surveillance, and coordinated ground and air actions aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, denying them freedom of movement, and safeguarding communities throughout Nigeria's North-east. The operation underscores the persistent threat posed by militants in the region and highlights the military's ongoing efforts to counter these challenges. As part of its strategy, the task force continues to focus on disrupting terrorist networks and ensuring the security of local populations.