Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Mayanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram in Borno State, killing 11 terrorists.
This was disclosed on Sunday, 1 March 2026, by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
The attacks occurred between the late hours of 28 February and the early hours of 1 March. Five terrorists were killed at Mayanti, three at Gajiram, and two at Gajigana. Tragically, an officer lost his life during the Mayanti attack, while another soldier sustained injuries at Gajiram. Major Umaru Ibrahim Mairiga was confirmed among the fallen.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have once again demonstrated resilience and battlefield dominance by decisively foiling coordinated ISWAP attacks on FOBs Mayanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram, while intensifying offensive operations across Sector 2,” the statement read.
The attacks reflect the growing desperation of ISWAP fighters under sustained pressure on their enclaves, supply routes, and leadership structures. While the Gajigana assault was fully repelled, encounters at Mayanti and Gajiram resulted in significant terrorist casualties and the recovery of combat equipment.
At FOB Mayanti on 28 February, troops withstood heavy enemy fire. Reinforcements fought through ambushes and IED threats to rout the attackers. Five terrorist corpses were recovered along with three PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, two RPG-7 tubes, four AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, three RPG bombs, and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.
At FOB Gajiram around 0115 hours on 1 March, terrorists equipped with PKT guns, RPGs, and armed drones were repelled by troops supported by air assets. Three bodies were recovered along the withdrawal route, alongside four AK-47 rifles, five anti-tank bombs, three locally fabricated mortar bombs, an armed drone, six fully loaded 7.62mm NATO magazines, barbed wire cutters, specialised ammunition, and poisoned arrows. One wounded soldier was airlifted for advanced medical care.
In related Sector 2 operations, troops engaged terrorists at Kayawa Village, forcing them to flee and abandon a tricycle, three motorcycles, and five bicycles. Life-support structures were destroyed, two confessed ISWAP logistics suppliers were arrested, and drugs and medical consumables used for treating wounded terrorists were recovered.
Additionally, ambushes around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba LGA neutralised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a bicycle, and other items.
“All locations remain firmly under our control,” the statement concluded, noting that the scale of recoveries and confirmed enemy losses underscores the declining combat capacity of ISWAP elements.