Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has once again demonstrated its resilience and combat superiority as troops of CIB XIX at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari successfully repelled a determined night attack by ISWAP terrorists in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, confirmed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said: “On 1 July 2026, at about 2325 hours, the terrorists launched an attack on the base. The troops responded with exceptional gallantry, engaging the attackers in a fierce firefight and forcing them to withdraw in confusion after inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and destroying their equipment.
Items recovered include AK 47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, Rocket Propelled Gun tubes among others. Surveillance footage further confirmed the evacuation of several dead and wounded terrorists from the battlefield.
“It would be recalled that Mairari community had only recently been resettled, with over 950 households returning to the area. The attack was also a desperate attempt by the terrorists to instill fear among the residents and disrupt the ongoing resettlement process. However, their objective was thwarted, as no civilian casualties were recorded in the community during the attack.
“Regrettably, two soldiers and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) paid the supreme price during the intense encounter. Additionally, few equipments were damaged by Rocket Propelled Gun fire during the encounter. The Theatre Command mourns these gallant heroes and extends its heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones.
In a related development, a reinforcement team from Monguno successfully detected and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) emplaced along the route before engaging the fleeing terrorists. The swift intervention further disrupted the insurgents’ withdrawal and inflicted additional casualties on them.
The Army said the successful repulsion of the attack underscores the high level of operational readiness, resilience, and combat effectiveness of troops of Operation HADIN KAI. Despite the terrorists’ desperate attempt to overrun the location, the troops maintained full control of the base and continue to dominate the operational environment through sustained offensive operations.
The Theatre Command commended the courage, resilience, and fighting spirit of the troops for successfully defeating the terrorists and denying them any operational success. Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the North East.