Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Magumeri, Borno State, neutralising scores of terrorists and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.
The attack occurred in the early hours of May 7, 2026, when the terrorists reportedly attempted to infiltrate the military facility under the cover of poor visibility.
According to military authorities, the insurgents recorded minor breaches in an isolated section of the camp before troops mounted a fierce resistance that successfully contained and defeated the assault.
A statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said troops fought gallantly during the encounter, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
The military disclosed that subsequent exploitation operations around the area revealed extensive blood trails, body drag marks and the recovery of terrorist corpses, indicating significant losses suffered by the insurgents during the failed attack.
Troops also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and loaded magazines.
The military, however, confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the confrontation, while an officer and several wounded personnel were receiving medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities also disclosed that some military equipment and temporary structures within the base were damaged by fire during the intense exchange of gunfire.
Troops are currently conducting follow-up exploitation operations within the general area to consolidate gains from the encounter and assess additional battle damage.
The military high command commended troops for their performance during the operation and urged them to sustain the operational tempo in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts across the North East theatre.
According to the statement, the failed assault further demonstrated the determination of Operation HADIN KAI troops to deny terrorists freedom of movement and operational space within the region.
