Scores of Terrorists Killed as Nigerian Troops Repel Coordinated Attack on Military Base in Borno
Nigerian security forces have recorded a significant operational success following a coordinated attack by terrorists on a military installation in Borno State. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday when armed insurgents launched a surprise assault on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir, a key military position under Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
According to information made available by the Nigerian military, the attackers approached the base from multiple directions and were heavily armed. The assault reportedly involved the use of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), machine guns, and other high-calibre weapons, indicating a high level of planning and coordination.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant A.S. Atokolo, said the terrorists initially attempted to breach parts of the base’s defensive perimeter. However, they were met with “overwhelming and sustained firepower” from Nigerian troops stationed at the facility.
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Lieutenant Atokolo explained that the defending troops were supported by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, which played a crucial role in repelling the attack. The firefight reportedly lasted for over an hour before the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to retreat.
Despite the intensity of the assault, the military said troops maintained control of the situation throughout the engagement. During the exchange, some troop-carrying vehicles and the base’s CCTV control room were affected by RPG fire and partially damaged. Nevertheless, the statement emphasized that there was no loss of control over the base, and defensive positions were held firmly until the attackers withdrew.
Following the failed assault, Nigerian forces recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. 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 recovery, according to the military, further underscores the scale of the planned attack and the level of armament available to the insurgents.
The operation did not end with the repulsion of the attack on the base. The military revealed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms were immediately deployed to track the movements of the retreating terrorists. This real-time intelligence enabled follow-up operations along identified withdrawal routes.
Precision airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force targeted the fleeing insurgents, resulting in the neutralisation of additional scores of fighters. The military described the air operations as a significant blow to the terrorists’ fighting capability and morale, adding that post-strike assessments confirmed heavy casualties among the group.
The attack and the military’s response have once again drawn public attention to the ongoing security challenges in the North-East, as well as debates around counter-terrorism strategy, intelligence gathering, and the protection of military installations. While many Nigerians have commended the troops for their resilience and bravery, others continue to raise questions about the frequency of such attacks and the broader approach to dismantling terrorist networks in the region.
Operation Hadin Kai remains Nigeria’s primary military effort against insurgency in the North-East, with security forces insisting they remain committed to degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring lasting peace to affected communities.