By Gabriel Ameh
Troops Repel ISWAP Attacks in Borno as Coordinated Air, Land Operations Intensify
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled coordinated attacks by suspected ISWAP fighters in parts of Borno State, military authorities said.
According to a statement by the operation’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the attempted assaults occurred on the night of February 20, 2026, targeting troops in Limankara and Kukawa.
Limankara: Attack Foiled
At about 12:56 a.m., insurgents reportedly attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base in Limankara. Troops engaged the attackers in a firefight, supported by air assets from the Nigerian Air Force.
The military said the attackers retreated after sustaining casualties. No deaths were recorded among troops during the encounter, though authorities confirmed that the situation remains under control.
Kukawa: Multi-Pronged Assault
In Kukawa, terrorists mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles launched what officials described as a coordinated attack from the Alagarno and Jemmu axes late on February 20.
Ground troops, backed by air support, engaged the fighters in a battle that lasted into the early hours of February 21. The military reported that the attackers withdrew under sustained fire.
Air strikes were later conducted on fleeing insurgents. According to the statement, one gun truck was destroyed, and additional strikes targeted motorcycles carrying retreating fighters.
Offensive Operations in Gujba
In a related operation on February 22, troops under Sector 2, as part of Operation Desert Sanity V, carried out a raid around Lamusheri village in Gujba Local Government Area, identified by the military as a logistics and staging hub for insurgent activity.
The military said 15 suspected terrorists were killed during the operation, while weapons and communication equipment were recovered. Several vehicles and structures allegedly used by the group were destroyed.
Casualties and Ongoing Operations
Authorities confirmed that one soldier was killed during the engagements, while some others sustained injuries and were evacuated for treatment. The wounded personnel are reported to be in stable condition.
Military officials stated that the coordinated air and ground operations are part of ongoing efforts to degrade insurgent capacity and restrict their movement across the North-East theatre.
Security operations in the region continue.
