ISWAP Commander, 19 others killed, as troops foil insurgents attack in Yobe

ISWAP Commander, 19 others killed, as troops foil insurgents attack in Yobe

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri.

No fewer than 20 members of Boko Haram insurgents were killed, when troops of the Nigerian Military foiled attack on Goniri Town of Gujba local government areas of Yobe state.

The Northeast Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Lt Col. Uba Sani, said “troops of the JointTask Force (North East), deployed in Goniri, under Sector 2 of OPHK, have successfully foiled coordinated attacks launched by ISWAP terrorists on their location in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 terrorists including their commander”

The state said “The attacks occurred from the night of Monday, 9 March 2026, through the early hours of Tuesday, 10 March 2026, when the troops came under heavy assault from multiple directions.”

“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”, the statement said.

The statement further said “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.”.

“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.”, the state further stressed.

Lt Col Sani said “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.”

“Troops who sustained injuries during the encounter were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are currently in stable condition. 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, statement added.

The military assured that Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute and committed to the complete defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace and security across the North-East region.

The Military High Command also commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience while urging them to sustain the operational tempo.