Nigerian military troops under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully foiled an attempted attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military formation in Azir, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, neutralising several terrorists and disrupting their withdrawal.
The operation, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, was reinforced by decisive close air support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Component of Operation HADIN KAI, security sources confirmed.
According to the sources, the terrorists attempted to breach part of the Forward Operating Base’s defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from ground troops, supported by NAF assets and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.
A prolonged firefight lasting over an hour ensued, after which the attackers were decisively overpowered and forced to retreat.
During the engagement, Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire from the terrorists damaged troop-carrying vehicles, partially gutting them by fire. Despite this, troops maintained firm control of the situation and prevented any breakthrough.
Following the encounter, troops recovered several weapons and ammunition from the terrorists’ abandoned positions. Items recovered included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosive devices, heavy machine gun rounds and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The operation was further extended beyond the base as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms tracked the fleeing terrorists. This enabled follow-up strikes along their identified withdrawal routes.
Sources said that at about 1:40 a.m., NAF assets were immediately scrambled to provide close air support. Upon arrival over Azir, aircrew observed friendly forces engaging targets along the terrorists’ escape routes.
A wide-area scan of the location revealed terrorist elements regrouping and taking cover under trees. The aircrew swiftly acquired the targets and engaged them in successive, precision strikes.
“The operation achieved its intended effect, with many terrorists neutralised and their capacity to reorganise or launch further attacks in the area significantly degraded,” the sources said.
After the strikes, additional aerial scans were conducted, with no further threats observed in the area.
The successful operation underscores continued coordination between ground troops and air components in degrading terrorist activities across the North-East.
