Nigerian Army troops have repelled a coordinated ISWAP assault in Kukawa, Borno State, killing more than 25 terrorists and recovering six AK-47 rifles, according to the military.
The counter-offensive was carried out by troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion after Islamic State West Africa Province fighters launched a large-scale attack from four different flanks in the Kukawa area.
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Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
According to Goni, the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops through a coordinated multi-directional assault but encountered stiff resistance from the Nigerian forces.
He said the troops responded with superior firepower, tactical manoeuvres and effective battlefield coordination, supported by the Air Component.
The combined response eventually overwhelmed the attackers and inflicted heavy casualties, forcing surviving ISWAP fighters to flee the area in disarray.
Goni said a preliminary assessment showed that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while 14 bodies had been recovered at the time of the assessment.
The troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles.
The military said exploitation operations were continuing to recover additional weapons, track fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping for further attacks.
However, the operation also came at a heavy cost to the Nigerian Army, as some soldiers were killed during the encounter.
Goni expressed condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, describing their service and sacrifice as a lasting testament to their commitment to the nation.
“The Nigerian Army extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen heroes and stands with them at this difficult moment,” Goni said.
He added that the decisive repulsion of the assault demonstrated the combat readiness and resilience of Nigerian troops operating in the North-East theatre.
The military also highlighted the role of air-ground coordination and joint operations in disrupting terrorist activities and restricting the freedom of movement of insurgent groups.
Goni said the Nigerian Army remained committed to maintaining pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies.
The latest operation comes amid continued military efforts to disrupt ISWAP networks and prevent insurgents from consolidating their positions in parts of Borno State.
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The Army said its operations would continue with the broader objective of dismantling terrorist networks, protecting communities and safeguarding the country.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
