Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on multiple military locations in Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.

The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of March 16, targeted troop positions at Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai and Damboa in what the military described as a coordinated attempt by the terrorists to overrun the bases and gain propaganda advantage.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force (North East), the insurgents were first intercepted at Ajiri Cross near Njimtilo, where troops of Sector 1 detected and engaged them in a pre-emptive operation.

He said the troops, acting on prior intelligence, adopted a strong defensive-offensive strategy, using coordinated firepower to repel the attackers and disrupt their withdrawal routes, forcing them into a chaotic retreat with significant losses.

Similar assaults in Baga, Buratai and Damboa were also successfully repelled, with troops deploying superior firepower and receiving close air support from the Nigerian Air Force and Army Aviation units. Precision air strikes were said to have further disorganised the insurgents as they attempted to withdraw.

The military disclosed that several fighters were neutralised during the operations, including a key commander who led the attack in Buratai. Many others were reportedly injured while fleeing.

Despite sustaining some equipment damage and recording a number of wounded personnel, troops maintained control of all the affected locations and launched follow-up operations to pursue the fleeing insurgents.

During clearance operations around Baga and adjoining communities such as Korochara and Garin Giwa, troops recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles, anti-aircraft rounds, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and magazines. Other items recovered included personal gear, while three motorcycles used by the insurgents were destroyed.

The statement added that seven bodies of insurgents were recovered, while about 20 others were reportedly buried in shallow graves by their fleeing comrades.

The military said the failed attacks reflect growing pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East, noting that sustained operations have limited their movement and disrupted their activities.

Operation Hadin Kai reassured residents that all attacked locations remain under military control and urged the public to remain vigilant and ignore misinformation aimed at undermining ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.