Army’s joint task force clear ISWAP camps, repel drone and ground attacks in Borno
The Nigerian Army’s Intervention Battalion under Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded major operational gains in the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity clearance campaign, destroying multiple terrorist camps, recovering arms and equipment, and repelling coordinated attacks by insurgents in northern Borno.
Counter insurgency expert. Zagazola Makama disclised that the latest phase of the operation, covered a wide swathe of difficult terrain and known insurgent hideouts around Chiralia, Garin Faruk and Abima axis, following the troops’ departure from a harbour area early on Jan. 18.
The troops methodically cleared several locations and camps that showed signs of recent human activity but had been hastily deserted before their arrival, indicating intelligence-led pressure on terrorist elements in the area.
At about 12:40 p.m., the advancing troops came under a rare and worrying attack by a terrorist-operated armed drone. Three soldiers sustained injuries in the strike but were reported to be in stable condition and receiving medical care.
Despite the drone attack, the troops maintained momentum and continued the clearance.
During the operation, troops recovered a cache of terrorist items, including: A Baofeng radio set, small button phone, Five empty AK-47 magazines, 63 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition, 71 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition, Empty 12.7 x 108mm links, several Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, an unquantified quantity of medical supplies.
Later in the day, as troops settled into a new harbour area, terrorists launched a ground assault at about 7:10 p.m. The attack lasted roughly 25 minutes but was decisively repelled by the troops. The troops maintained control of the situation, and the area remained under firm military dominance.
Military authorities say the aim is not just to dislodge terrorists, but to deny them space permanently by sustaining air-ground synergy, aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven strikes.
