Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) successfully thwarted two separate assassination attempts by suspected ISWAP and JAS insurgents targeting military installations in Borno State this past weekend.
Engagement at Gonori: 120 Task Force Battalion
Late Saturday night, insurgents launched an assault on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, approaching the facility from the Mandunari axis. According to a statement released Sunday by JTF Spokesperson Sani Uba, military intelligence detected the insurgents’ movement early, allowing troops to intercept the attackers before they could breach the camp's perimeter.
The defense evolved into a coordinated joint air and ground operation. While ground troops engaged the initial wave, Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft conducted precision strikes on retreating militants.
Key Outcomes of the Gonori Engagement:
Casualties: Several insurgents were neutralized during the encounter; the military reported "heavy casualties" following the air strikes.
Equipment & Assets: No military equipment was lost, and the integrity of the camp remained fully intact.
Recovered Materiel: Troops recovered various armaments, including machine guns and AK-47 rifles.
Personnel: A number of soldiers sustained injuries during the firefight; they are currently in stable condition and receiving medical care.
"The latest failed attack reinforces the unrelenting operational dominance of OPHK and the futility of terrorist aggression against well-fortified and battle-ready troops," the military statement noted.
Pre-Dawn Ambush at Gajigana
In a separate incident early Friday morning, troops of the 212 Battalion foiled a similar attempt by suspected ISWAP/JAS fighters to overrun a Forward Operating Base in Gajigana, Magumeri LGA.
The attack, which began at approximately 1:45 AM, was met with immediate resistance from soldiers positioned on ambush duties. The insurgents were forced to retreat following a brief but intense confrontation. While follow-up exploitation operations were conducted in the surrounding terrain to track the fleeing militants, no further contact was established.
Context: Rising Threats to Military Infrastructure
The security landscape in 2026 has been characterized by a marked increase in direct confrontations targeting military bases. According to data compiled by TheCable, there have been at least 13 documented attacks on such installations since the beginning of the year.
While seven of these assaults have been successfully foiled by Nigerian forces, the military remains on heightened alert as they continue sweep operations to stabilize the region and mitigate the threat of renewed insurgent aggression.