Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a deadly attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Magumeri, Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and recovering sophisticated weapons after a fierce gun battle.
The military, however, confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the confrontation, while an officer and other injured personnel are receiving treatment
A statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the failed terrorist assault occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 7 May 2026, when insurgents attempted to infiltrate the military base under Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI.
Military authorities said the terrorists exploited poor visibility to launch the attack but were decisively repelled by troops after intense fighting and suffered heavy casualties during the failed attack.
According to the statement, follow-up exploitation operations around the area revealed signs of severe losses suffered by the terrorists.
“It is important to state that further exploitation of the general area revealed extensive blood trails, body drags and the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the heavy casualties inflicted on the attackers during the failed assault,” the statement said.
Troops also recovered arms and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing insurgents, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and magazines.
The attack reportedly damaged some military equipment and temporary structures within the camp after parts of the facility caught fire during the exchange of gunfire.
Lt. Col. Uba stated that “regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention.”
The latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP fighters despite sustained military offensives across the North-East.
In recent months, troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intensified clearance operations, ambushes and offensive patrols aimed at degrading the operational capacity of terrorist groups operating in the region.
Military sources said exploitation operations are ongoing around Magumeri and adjoining areas to track fleeing terrorists and assess further damage inflicted during the confrontation.
The military high command commended the troops for their “impressive battle performance” and urged them to sustain the momentum against terrorist groups across the theatre.
