Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), under the Joint Task Force North East, have successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Kangar, Mallam Fatori, Borno State. The confrontation occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the assault, launched around 4:30 a.m. by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, involved the use of armed drones and mortar fire directed at the base’s defensive positions.
He commended the troops for their bravery and tactical superiority, noting that reinforcements from the Sector 3 battalion played a crucial role in repelling the attackers.
“Despite the initial use of drones and indirect fire, the troops held their ground, engaging the terrorists in a fierce firefight supported by close air support from Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” Uba said.
He explained that the insurgents, overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordination of the joint forces, fled in disarray into the waterways of the Tumbuns, evacuating their dead and wounded.
A post-battle assessment confirmed the neutralisation of six terrorists and the recovery of several weapons, including five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five 36-type hand grenades, two bandoliers, and one Android phone.
“Follow-on air interdiction by the Nigerian Air Force, in conjunction with the Nigerien Air Force, further neutralised additional scores of the terrorists,” Uba added.
He noted that a few personnel of the Joint Task Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries during the clash.
“They have been evacuated by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) platforms for medical attention and are in stable condition. The MNJTF also provided Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support to enhance situational awareness for the ground troops,” he said.
According to Uba, exploitation operations are ongoing in the waterways and surrounding areas to track down fleeing terrorists and deny them freedom of movement. He assured that troop morale remains high and that forces continue to maintain dominance in the operational area.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience, professionalism, and courage in the face of adversity.
“This successful defence underscores the strategic coordination between ground troops and air support, highlighting the effectiveness of joint operations in countering terrorist threats,” Uba said.
He added that the collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and regional allies such as the Nigerien Air Force demonstrates a unified commitment to safeguarding border communities and maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“The operation sends a strong signal that the Nigerian Armed Forces, together with regional allies, are resolute in maintaining territorial integrity, protecting citizens, and denying terrorists the capacity to operate freely in the North East,” Uba concluded.
