Troops repel ISWAP attack on Mairari base, recover arms, motorcycles

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully stopped an attack by ISWAP terrorists on a military base in Mairari, Borno State.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the terrorists tried to break into the Forward Operating Base using two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) on Friday night leading to a scuffle that continued into the early hours of Saturday.

However, the troops quickly spotted and destroyed the explosives before they could cause any serious damage or gain access to the base.


Uba said CCTV footage and observations from the field showed that several terrorists were killed during the attack, while others were injured. The surviving fighters were seen evacuating their dead and wounded as they fled the area.

After repelling the attack, troops from Sector 3, with support from the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), searched the surrounding area.

During the operation, the troops recovered weapons and other items left behind by the terrorists. These included AK-47 rifles, ammunition, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, combat uniforms and medical supplies.

Uba said the two VBIEDs were destroyed by defensive fire from the troops, causing damage to parts of the road, but confirmed that the base was not breached.

He also said soldiers are currently carrying out aggressive patrols around Mairari to prevent another attack and to reassure residents of the military’s presence.