Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, neutralising several fighters, including an estimated 25 in coordinated air strikes, while destroying 10 motorcycles used by fleeing terrorists.
Four soldiers also sustained injuries during the operation but were evacuated for medical attention and are said to be in stable condition.
The military said the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:50pm on August 28, targeting troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa.
However, the troops were said to have responded with direct and indirect fire, repelling the attack and forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
Several terrorists were reportedly killed during the encounter, while others sustained gunshot wounds as they fled. Troops subsequently recovered the bodies of some of the terrorists during exploitation operations.
The fleeing fighters were intercepted as they attempted to withdraw on motorcycles, prompting a coordinated response by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
Despite what the military described as challenging weather conditions, air assets engaged terrorists who had taken cover under trees, killing an estimated 10 fighters.
The military said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the Multi-National Joint Task Force subsequently tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
The intelligence reportedly enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, neutralising an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
During subsequent exploitation operations, ground troops also neutralised another terrorist and recovered two motorcycles, ammunition and other items.
The Joint Task Force said the coordinated ground and air operations disrupted the attempted attack and significantly degraded the terrorists’ mobility and capacity to regroup.
“The coordinated ground and air action effectively disrupted the attack, interdicted the terrorists’ withdrawal and further degraded their ability to regroup or conduct sustained operations within the area,” the statement said.
Following the engagement, the troops were replenished by air with essential combat supplies to sustain operational effectiveness and maintain pressure on the terrorists.
Four personnel sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening and were promptly evacuated by air for further medical attention.
The military said the wounded personnel were in stable condition, while troops had commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area.
“The successful defence of Kukawa once again demonstrates Operation HADIN KAI’s capacity to detect, contain and decisively respond to terrorist threats through effective integration of ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities,” the statement added.
Operation HADIN KAI said battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the operation were ongoing, stressing that it would sustain intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated ground and air operations to further degrade terrorist capabilities and protect communities across the North-East.
