Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have secured a major victory against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, repelling a coordinated night assault on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, Borno State.
The attack, which began late Saturday, 9 May 2026, and stretched into the early hours of Sunday, 10 May 2026, saw insurgents advancing from the Mandunari axis. However, the assault was neutralized before it could penetrate the military formation.
Military sources confirmed that an ambush team detected the terrorist movement around midnight, prompting troops to execute a well-coordinated spoiling attack. The swift response trapped the insurgents in a devastating killing zone, preventing any breach of the camp. No military equipment was lost during the encounter.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, alongside platforms from the Nigerian Army Aviation, scrambled immediately and delivered a synchronized air-land assault that decimated retreating insurgents and sealed their defeat.
Exploitation of the battle area revealed extensive blood trails, body parts, and battle damage consistent with heavy terrorist casualties. Several terrorist corpses were recovered within the vicinity.
Items recovered include:
· One General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
· Two PKT machine guns
· Five AK-47 rifles
· Several belts of assorted ammunition
· Various personal effects
Officials noted that wounded soldiers are in stable condition and receiving appropriate medical attention. Exploitation operations are ongoing to consolidate gains and track fleeing terrorists.
In an official statement, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, described the failed attack as proof of the military’s unrelenting operational dominance.
“This latest failed attack reinforces the futility of terrorist aggression against well-fortified and battle-ready troops across the Theatre,” Uba said.
The victory at Gonori adds to a growing list of foiled ISWAP attacks in the region, signaling sustained momentum for Nigerian forces in the counter-insurgency campaign.
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