The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that 34 terrorists were neutralized during an attempted ambush on troops in Sabon Gari, a village in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. The incident occurred on January 4 when insurgents, riding motorcycles, launched an attack in retaliation for the recent killing of their commander and several fighters.
In a statement on Wednesday, Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed that the terrorists were swiftly overpowered by troops on a fighting patrol returning to base. “The terrorists were taken by surprise when troops foiled their planned attack as soon as it commenced,” Buba stated.
Reinforcements, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), vigilantes, and hybrid forces, were promptly dispatched to support the troops. However, the reinforcement team encountered an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in injuries to the vigilante commander.
The DHQ further revealed that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai launched an airstrike on the fleeing terrorists. The operation, which included ground and aerial assaults, led to significant casualties among the insurgents and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
“Battle damage assessment revealed several terrorists were killed, and weapons were recovered,” the statement read. “On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed, 23 AK-47 rifles were recovered, and over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were seized.”
Despite the success of the operation, the DHQ confirmed the loss of six military personnel during the attack. The names of the deceased are being withheld to allow for proper notification of their next of kin.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Accordingly, troops remain committed to defeating the terrorists,” Buba affirmed.
The Nigerian military has intensified its counterinsurgency efforts in the North-East region, aiming to dismantle the operational capacities of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The latest encounter underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in the fight against insurgency, as well as the critical role played by local vigilante groups and air support in bolstering military operations.
The DHQ reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring peace in affected communities, urging the public to continue supporting the military with actionable intelligence to facilitate the defeat of terrorism in the region.
