Operation Hadin Kai troops reportedly neutralise several insurgents and recover weapons after a coordinated assault on Mandaragirau

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled an attempted Islamic State of West Africa Province attack on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the Nigerian Army reporting several insurgent casualties and no losses among its personnel.

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The ISWAP attack on Borno base began at about 2am when the insurgents launched a coordinated assault from two fronts, according to the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Captain Muhammed Goni.

Goni said troops detected the advancing fighters through early warning and surveillance systems before deploying a combat team to intercept one of the attacking groups.

The resulting confrontation developed into a heavy exchange of fire, during which troops successfully repelled the insurgents on that axis.

“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp, but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated,” Goni said.

The coordinated response forced the attackers to withdraw, prompting troops to launch a hot pursuit and search the area where the fighting occurred as well as the routes used by the insurgents during their retreat.

The Army said several terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered a quantity of military equipment.

The recovered items reportedly included AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, bombs and chargers, a camcorder video camera and other combat equipment.

Goni said surveillance footage obtained after the engagement also showed the insurgents dragging the bodies of several of their dead colleagues towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” he said.

The reported success comes as Operation Hadin Kai continues military operations against insurgent groups across the North-East, where ISWAP and Boko Haram factions have maintained the capacity to launch attacks on military positions and communities.

The Mandaragirau engagement also highlights the importance of early warning and surveillance systems in giving troops additional time to prepare for coordinated attacks.

According to the Army, the surveillance systems detected the advancing fighters before they reached the base, allowing troops to establish an interception operation rather than simply reacting after the attack had begun.

The Theatre Command commended the personnel of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for their response, describing their actions as evidence of operational readiness and tactical effectiveness.

“The Theatre Command therefore commends the leadership, courage and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault,” Goni said.

Operation Hadin Kai has pledged to maintain pressure on insurgents, with the military saying its broader objective remains to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement and restore security across the North-East.

The latest confrontation nevertheless underscores the continuing security challenge in Borno, where military bases remain potential targets for armed groups seeking to test the readiness of security forces.

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For the troops at Mandaragirau, Saturday’s encounter ended with the attack repelled and the Army reporting no military casualties, while the full extent of losses suffered by the insurgents remains based on military and surveillance assessments.