Nigerian troops have neutralised 38 terrorists belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis of the Timbuktu Triangle within the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.
The clearance operation was carried out by the North-East Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), based in Maiduguri.
This was disclosed by the Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, in a statement made available to newsmen.
According to him: “Troops, in the early hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026, decisively repelled a half-hearted attack by ISWAP terrorists on the Mandaragirau Army base of Sector 2.”
Coordinated Offensive
He added that ground troops engaged the insurgents with well-coordinated offensive and defensive actions, forcing them into a disorderly retreat. The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support, alongside Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), to enhance targeted strikes.
Uba further revealed that follow-up exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes inflicted additional heavy losses on the group.
“Consequently, a total of about 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate engagement area of Mandaragirau,” he stated.
Additional Losses Confirmed
He added that local residents along the Damboa–Biu road confirmed the presence of over 30 additional terrorist bodies and weapons scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
“This was evident from blood trails and abandoned weapons and equipment left behind by the fleeing terrorists,” Uba said.
He further disclosed that troops recovered several weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, and assorted ammunition. No fatalities were recorded among the troops.
However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by RPG fire, and the injured personnel were promptly stabilised at the frontline.
Community Reaction
Commenting on the outcome of the operation, Uba said: “The scale of enemy losses has triggered widespread jubilation among local communities and underscores the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action in the state.”
He noted that further exploitation operations are ongoing in the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest to recover additional bodies and consolidate the troops’ gains.
Military High Command Commends Troops
The Military High Command in Abuja commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in protecting lives and property in the North-East.
