JTF troops under Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Yobe, killing 20+ insurgents and recovering weapons while securing the area
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North-East, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), neutralising over 20 insurgents in Yobe State.
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The attacks targeted JTF positions in Goniri, under Sector 2 of the operation, from the night of Monday, March 9, through the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the military confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the JTF, the insurgents attempted to launch coordinated assaults from multiple directions in a bid to encircle the troops’ positions.
“The terrorists were initially detected through surveillance assets advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu Junction axis in an apparent attempt to encircle the military location,” Uba explained.
The troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and coordinated defensive manoeuvres, supported by reinforcements and close air support.
This forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray, resulting in heavy casualties, including a senior commander, Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.
Weapons and equipment recovered from the fleeing insurgents included multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, bombs, and assorted ammunition.
Follow-up clearance operations in Gwaigomari, within the Timbuktu Triangle, uncovered additional bodies of terrorists during patrols carried out up to the early hours of Wednesday, March 11.
Soldiers injured during the clash were evacuated and remain in stable condition.
“The location remains firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops,” Uba stated, adding that aggressive search and clearance operations were ongoing in surrounding areas to track wounded insurgents.
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The JTF reaffirmed its commitment to defeating insurgency and restoring lasting peace in Nigeria’s North-East.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
