Nigerian soldiers have reportedly thwarted an attempted attack in Borno State, recovered several weapons and dismantled makeshift camps used by suspected Boko Haram fighters.
The military’s joint task force said on Monday that troops from Operation Hadin Kai, a multi‑service force operating in the north‑east, were on a routine patrol in the Buni Gari–Burtia axis of Biu local government area when they encountered “suspected Boko Haram terrorists”, the task force spokesman, Mohammed Goni, said in a statement.
“The troops responded decisively and forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area in disarray,” Goni said.
Reinforcements were deployed to clear the ambush site and search the surrounding area, he added.
During the operation, soldiers uncovered and dismantled several makeshift camps believed to have been used as temporary staging and hideouts, the statement said.
Recovered items included a motorcycle, bicycles, a magazine, ammunition and rocket‑propelled grenade bombs.
There were no reported casualties among the military, though the spokesman said some operational vehicles sustained damage.
Goni said, “Notwithstanding the damage, the troops remained operational and successfully completed the mission.”
The task force reiterated its commitment to deny terrorists freedom of action, disrupt their activities and protect communities across the theatre.
“The general security situation within the area of responsibility remains calm but unpredictable,” the statement said, adding that troops would maintain aggressive patrols and coordinated operations to safeguard lives and property.
The development follows a security alert from the Office of the National Security Adviser warning of possible reprisal attacks after the killing of Abubakar Mainok, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Mainok was reportedly killed, alongside other ISWAP members, in a joint operation involving Nigerian and United States forces.
