Troops repelled three ISWAP attacks, killed unconfirmed numbers of fighters, and lost two vigilantes.

Troops repelled three ISWAP attacks, killed unconfirmed numbers of fighters, and lost two vigilantes.

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled three simultaneous attacks launched by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) in Yobe and Borno States.

In an attempt to continue their rampage, ISWAP terrorists launched a midnight attack on Saturday on Katarko in Yobe, Jakana, and Monguno in Borno State, but were repelled by Nigerian troops.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, that the first attack launched by the terrorists targeted a vigilante post at KATARKO around the Gujba axis at about 0100 hours.

The vigilante engaged the terrorists in a firefight for about 15 minutes. They were later reinforced by the troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, who successfully repelled the attack, forcing the terrorists to flee.

Terrorist fatalities were uncertain, as traces of blood indicated that they evacuated naturalized terrorists while two vigilante members paid the supreme price during the encounter.

In another encounter, the terrorists attacked troops at a checking point between Jakana and Mainok. Two ISWAP terrorists were gunned down during the encounter, while other members of the group fled following superior firepower from the troops. One soldier was also wounded in action in the encounter.

However, the terrorists, on two gun trucks and 20 motorcycles, attempted to attack troops of the Sector 3 Multi-National Joint Task Force at Charlie one, along Monguno-Maiduguri Road.

The attack was successfully repelled, forcing the terrorists to withdraw, while casualties recorded were uncertain in the mid-night attack.

Troops repelled three ISWAP attacks, killed unconfirmed numbers of fighters, and lost two vigilantes.