Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Goniri, Yobe State, killing senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula and more than 20 insurgents during an intense overnight battle.
The attack occurred between the night of Monday, March 9, and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when terrorists launched a multi-directional assault on troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) deployed in Goniri under Sector 2 of the operation.
The Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed in a statement that the insurgents attempted to encircle the military position, advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis.
According to him, the attack was detected early through surveillance assets, enabling troops to respond swiftly with coordinated defensive actions, superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres.
“The vigilant and gallant troops effectively coordinated their response and repelled the terrorists’ attempt to overrun the location,” he said.
Reinforcements were immediately mobilised to support the troops, while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support, significantly degrading the combat capability of the insurgents.
During the fierce firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, leaving behind heavy casualties. Among those killed was a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.
Troops later recovered several bodies of the terrorists along with weapons and other equipment abandoned during their retreat. The recovered items included multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition.
Further clearance and exploitation operations conducted by troops in the Gwaigomari area within the Timbuktu Triangle also led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols that continued into the early hours of Wednesday, March 11.
Some soldiers sustained injuries during the encounter but were promptly evacuated for medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
Military authorities confirmed that the location remains firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops, while ground forces supported by air assets are continuing aggressive follow-up operations in the surrounding areas.
Additional search and clearance operations are also ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded terrorists are believed to have fled.
The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, reiterating that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to the complete defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace and security across the North-East.
