Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
MORE than 20 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have been neutralised and a cache of weapons seized after troops repelled a major coordinated assault in Yobe State, the military has said.
Troops from the Joint Task Force (North East) deployed in Goniri, under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, came under heavy attack from multiple directions between the night of Monday, 9 March, and the early hours of Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Military surveillance assets first detected the insurgents advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in what appeared to be an attempt to encircle the location. Troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, effectively co-ordinating their defensive actions.
Reinforcements were promptly mobilised while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely close air support, further degrading the terrorists’ combat capability.
During the intense firefight that followed, the insurgents were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray. Among those killed was a senior terrorist commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.
Following the failed attack, troops recovered a significant haul of weaponry abandoned by the fleeing insurgents. Recovered items include multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs, and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
Further exploitation and clearance operations in the Gwaigomari area within the Tumbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols conducted up to the early hours of Wednesday, 11 March.
Troops who sustained injuries during the encounter were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are currently in stable condition.
The military confirmed that the location remains firmly under its control, with ground forces, supported by the Air Component, currently conducting aggressive follow-up operations in the surrounding areas. Additional search and clearance operations are ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded terrorists are suspected to have fled.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, stated that the operation remains resolute and committed to the complete defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace across the North-East region.
The Military High Command has commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience while urging them to sustain the operational tempo.
