Troops repel coordinated ISWAP offensive on Borno military base, inflict heavy casualties

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, on the Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.

The development was contained in a post shared by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, via his X handle.

According to Makama, the attack occurred at about 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, when a large number of terrorists riding several motorcycles and supported by two gun trucks launched an assault on the military base, while additional fighters advanced on foot.

He quoted intelligence sources as saying that troops of the 212 Battalion detected the advancing terrorists early and immediately engaged them with overwhelming firepower, frustrating the assault and forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.

The report added that a reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer of the 212 Battalion arrived shortly after the initial engagement to strengthen the troops’ position and stabilise the situation.

Makama further quoted the sources as saying that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the failed attack, with several bodies reportedly dragged away by their fleeing comrades.

Ttwo soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. The injured personnel were stabilised before being evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for further treatment.

The military also recorded minor equipment damage, as the body and four tyres of a gun truck were damaged by rocket-propelled grenade, RPG, fragments during the firefight.

Military sources, according to Makama, said exploitation of the battlefield would be carried out at first light to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and recover any abandoned weapons or equipment.