Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, with several terrorists reportedly neutralised during a coordinated ground and air operation.
The operation also resulted in the destruction of several motorcycles and the recovery of ammunition and other items, according to the military.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Goni said terrorists attacked troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa at about 10:50pm on Friday.
He said the troops responded with direct and indirect fire, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
“During the fierce engagement, several terrorists were neutralised, while others were observed to have sustained gunshot wounds as they fled the area,” the statement said.
Ground troops later recovered some bodies of the terrorists during exploitation operations, further confirming casualties inflicted during the encounter.
According to the military, the fleeing terrorists used motorcycles to withdraw towards Cross Kauwa, prompting the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to launch an aerial interdiction operation.
Despite difficult weather conditions, the air component reportedly struck terrorists who had taken cover under trees, killing an estimated 10 fighters.
The Multi-National Joint Task Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets subsequently tracked about 20 motorcycles carrying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
The information enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, which reportedly killed another 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles.
Ground troops later recovered two motorcycles and neutralised another terrorist during subsequent operations. They also recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
The military said the combined ground and air operation disrupted the attack, prevented the terrorists from making an organised withdrawal and further weakened their ability to regroup or launch sustained operations in the area.
Following the engagement, troops were replenished by air with essential combat equipment and supplies to maintain operational effectiveness and pressure on the terrorists.
Four military personnel sustained injuries during the encounter, although none was life-threatening.
The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were said to be in stable condition.
Goni said troops had commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the operation were ongoing.
He described the successful defence of Kukawa as another demonstration of the capability of Operation HADIN KAI to detect and respond to terrorist threats through the integration of ground troops, air assets and intelligence capabilities.
“The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated ground and air actions to systematically degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them freedom of action and protect communities across the North East,” Goni said.
