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Nigerian troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters and launched a counter-offensive in Borno State.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have once again demonstrated exceptional resolve and operational superiority by swiftly repelling an ISWAP attack, and launching a devastating follow-on counter-offensive.
“This decisive action has significantly degraded terrorist capabilities, disrupted their logistics, and reaffirmed OPHK’s unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist networks across the North East region,” part of the statement read.
According to the statement, ISWAP fighters attacked the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Auno on February 5, 2026, shortly before midnight. Troops of Sector 1 reportedly repelled the assault.
Following the attack, troops, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), carried out a counter-offensive on February 9 along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area.
The troops pursued the insurgents to the Gidan Kaji axis, where 16 terrorists were neutralised, while others fled with injuries.
The military said over 20 bicycles, weapons and other logistics items were recovered during the operation.
It added that suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers were arrested the same day around the Bukarti axis while allegedly transporting a large quantity of drugs intended for the insurgents.
In a related development, troops on February 9 foiled a kidnap attempt along the Buratai-Kamuya road.
The statement said the suspected terrorists abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes following the troops’ intervention.
Two victims, identified as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued and reunited with their families in Buratai.
Troops also responded to a distress call along the Chibok-Damboa axis on the same day and rescued nine kidnapped victims, according to the statement.
Nigerian military launches counter-offensive against ISWAP in Borno
