- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 20 suspected Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists have been neutralised by the troops of the Joint Task Force (North East).
The troops deployed attached Goniri area of Yobe state under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai (PHK) recorded the feat while foiling coordinated attacks launched by the ISWAP terrorists on their location in Goniri.
As contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the OPHK Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the attacks occurred from the night through the early hours of Tuesday with the troops coming under heavy assault from multiple directions.
Uba disclosed that the terrorists were initially detected through surveillance assets advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in an apparent attempt to encircle the military location.
“Impressively, the vigilant and gallant troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre, effectively coordinating their defensive actions.
“Reinforcements were promptly mobilised while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely and decisive close air support, further degrading the terrorists’ combat capability.
“During the intense firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties.
“Over 20 terrorists were neutralised, including a senior terrorist commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.” The military spokesperson wrote.
Following the failed attack, troops recovered several terrorist bodies along with weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat.
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 by troops in the general area of Gwaigomari within the Timbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols conducted up to the early hours of Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Meanwhile, troops who sustained injuries during the encounter were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are currently in stable condition.
Uba maintained that the location remains firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
Ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are 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.