Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully repelled multiple coordinated attacks launched by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on several military locations across the North-East.
The attacks occurred during the night of March 8 and the early hours of March 9, 2026, between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., targeting military formations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa, Mainok, as well as troops’ harbour positions deep inside the Sambisa Forest.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the terrorists mounted the attacks simultaneously from different directions in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to overwhelm troops’ defensive positions.
Despite the intensity of the assaults and the heavy firepower deployed by the insurgents, the troops held their ground and mounted a strong resistance across the affected locations.
According to the statement, the soldiers responded with exceptional determination, coordinating their defensive actions while reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided timely and decisive support during the engagements.
The combined ground and air response forced the terrorists to retreat after suffering significant casualties, with several bodies of the insurgents left behind on the battlefield.
Troops also recovered a cache of weapons and equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including two PKT machine guns, six AK-47 rifles, eight rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, four mortar bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
The military disclosed that during the intense firefights, sections of the defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa were briefly breached, while some structures within the bases and a number of vehicles were damaged due to the scale of the attacks.
However, the statement stressed that all the affected locations remain firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops.
Security forces have since launched follow-up exploitation operations in the affected areas, with ground troops supported by air assets continuing to track the fleeing insurgents.
In addition, cordon-and-search operations are ongoing in surrounding communities following intelligence that some wounded terrorists sought refuge there after the failed assaults.
The military, however, confirmed that the clashes claimed the lives of some soldiers, including a senior officer in Kukawa who was described as an outstanding leader.
The fallen personnel were said to have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation and in the protection of innocent citizens.
Operation Hadin Kai assured that the sacrifices of the troops would continue to inspire ongoing operations against terrorism, stressing that soldiers remain vigilant, motivated and committed to sustaining relentless pressure on insurgents across the North-East.
The command reaffirmed its resolve to deny terrorists freedom of action and to ensure lasting security in the region.
