Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, have foiled a coordinated terrorist attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kangar, located at Mallam Fatori in Borno State.
The attack, launched by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, involved the use of armed drones and mortar fire targeting the base’s defensive positions.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, the troops—reinforced by the Battalion’s main force under Sector 3—displayed exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority to repel the assault.
Despite the terrorists’ heavy use of drones and indirect fire, the soldiers held their ground and engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, supported by close air support from Nigerien fighter aircraft. The combined effort forced the attackers to retreat into the waterways of the Tumbuns, carrying away several of their casualties.
A post-battle sweep confirmed the neutralisation of six terrorists, with troops recovering five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and one Android phone.
Subsequent air interdictions by the Nigerian and Nigerien Air Forces targeted the fleeing terrorists, inflicting further heavy casualties.
While a few personnel of the Joint Task Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries, all have been evacuated for medical attention and are in stable condition. The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support during the engagement.
Exploitation operations are ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and restrict their movement in surrounding areas.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their courage, professionalism, and resilience, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and security in the North East through sustained and coordinated operations.
