ISWAP Attacks Borno Military Bases as Army Reports Four Insurgents Killed
By james ituru ·
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**Nigerian troops have fought off coordinated insurgent attacks on military positions in Borno State, with the military reporting that four suspected terrorists were killed during operations around Gajiram and Mairari.**
However, conflicting accounts have emerged over casualties among Nigerian troops following the September 17 fighting. While security sources cited by SaharaReporters claimed seven soldiers were killed during the assault on Gajiram, an official account subsequently released by Operation Hadin Kai did not confirm those deaths, saying instead that some personnel sustained injuries.
The incidents involved Forward Operating Bases in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area, and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area.
According to Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, troops detected insurgents moving towards the Gajiram base on September 17.
The military said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets belonging to the Multinational Joint Task Force assisted in detecting the movement.
Troops subsequently took defensive positions while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support. According to the military's account, the attackers eventually withdrew from the area.
**Reports claim seven soldiers were killed**
An earlier account published by SaharaReporters presented a more severe picture of the Gajiram confrontation.
Citing unnamed military sources, the publication reported that ISWAP fighters attacked the military position at approximately 7:10 p.m. and engaged troops in an intense confrontation.
Those sources claimed seven Nigerian soldiers were killed. They further alleged that the militants temporarily overwhelmed parts of the position and burned a military gun truck and other logistical assets before additional support arrived.
Those casualty claims have not been independently established by Tokenpress.
The military statement subsequently reported by The Guardian, Vanguard and other outlets did not announce the deaths of seven soldiers or confirm that the Gajiram base had been temporarily overrun.
Instead, military authorities acknowledged that personnel sustained injuries during the engagements and said those affected were stabilised and evacuated to hospital for treatment.
The difference between the accounts remains unresolved as of publication.
**Second attack reported at Mairari**
The military also disclosed that ISWAP fighters launched another attack against the Forward Operating Base at Mairari in Guzamala LGA later that night.
Troops resisted the assault with support from the Operation Hadin Kai Air Component, according to the official account.
Following the fighting, security forces searched the affected area and recovered the bodies of four suspected terrorists. The military also reported recovering AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and a camcorder.
Military authorities said the affected positions were subsequently reinforced while troops continued operations in surrounding areas aimed at preventing the insurgents from regrouping.
**Two insurgents surrender**
The military reported a separate development in Bama LGA, saying sustained operations also resulted in the surrender of two members of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, or JAS, on September 16.
One of the surrendered fighters was described by the military as a Qaid, or commander.
According to the military account, they surrendered along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis with three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, ammunition and a motorcycle. They were subsequently taken into custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Commander Major General Ibikunle Ajose commended the troops and personnel involved in the response and called on communities to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
The latest confrontations underscore the continuing security challenge in Borno State, where Nigerian forces remain engaged in operations against ISWAP and other insurgent groups.
For now, the precise toll among Nigerian troops remains unclear. Until military authorities provide further casualty information or independent evidence emerges, the reported deaths of seven soldiers should be treated as a source-based claim rather than a confirmed casualty figure.
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However, conflicting accounts have emerged over casualties among Nigerian troops following the September 17 fighting. While security sources cited by SaharaReporters claimed seven soldiers were killed during the assault on Gajiram, an official account subsequently released by Operation Hadin Kai did not confirm those deaths, saying instead that some personnel sustained injuries.
The incidents involved Forward Operating Bases in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area, and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area.
According to Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, troops detected insurgents moving towards the Gajiram base on September 17.
The military said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets belonging to the Multinational Joint Task Force assisted in detecting the movement.
Troops subsequently took defensive positions while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support. According to the military's account, the attackers eventually withdrew from the area.
**Reports claim seven soldiers were killed**
An earlier account published by SaharaReporters presented a more severe picture of the Gajiram confrontation.
Citing unnamed military sources, the publication reported that ISWAP fighters attacked the military position at approximately 7:10 p.m. and engaged troops in an intense confrontation.
Those sources claimed seven Nigerian soldiers were killed. They further alleged that the militants temporarily overwhelmed parts of the position and burned a military gun truck and other logistical assets before additional support arrived.
Those casualty claims have not been independently established by Tokenpress.
The military statement subsequently reported by The Guardian, Vanguard and other outlets did not announce the deaths of seven soldiers or confirm that the Gajiram base had been temporarily overrun.
Instead, military authorities acknowledged that personnel sustained injuries during the engagements and said those affected were stabilised and evacuated to hospital for treatment.
The difference between the accounts remains unresolved as of publication.
**Second attack reported at Mairari**
The military also disclosed that ISWAP fighters launched another attack against the Forward Operating Base at Mairari in Guzamala LGA later that night.
Troops resisted the assault with support from the Operation Hadin Kai Air Component, according to the official account.
Following the fighting, security forces searched the affected area and recovered the bodies of four suspected terrorists. The military also reported recovering AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and a camcorder.
Military authorities said the affected positions were subsequently reinforced while troops continued operations in surrounding areas aimed at preventing the insurgents from regrouping.
**Two insurgents surrender**
The military reported a separate development in Bama LGA, saying sustained operations also resulted in the surrender of two members of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, or JAS, on September 16.
One of the surrendered fighters was described by the military as a Qaid, or commander.
According to the military account, they surrendered along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis with three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, ammunition and a motorcycle. They were subsequently taken into custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Commander Major General Ibikunle Ajose commended the troops and personnel involved in the response and called on communities to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
The latest confrontations underscore the continuing security challenge in Borno State, where Nigerian forces remain engaged in operations against ISWAP and other insurgent groups.
For now, the precise toll among Nigerian troops remains unclear. Until military authorities provide further casualty information or independent evidence emerges, the reported deaths of seven soldiers should be treated as a source-based claim rather than a confirmed casualty figure.