Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attempted attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram on a military position in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, while simultaneously arresting two suspected terrorist informants in neighbouring Yobe State. The coordinated successes were confirmed by security sources and counter‑insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The attack on the military position occurred late on Wednesday, June 3, when a large group of insurgents mounted on motorcycles attempted to overrun a Forward Operating Base after breaching defensive barriers in the area. Military sources told Zagazola Makama that troops engaged the attackers in a sustained firefight, slowing their advance and inflicting losses, while coordinated aerial surveillance and strike support disrupted the terrorists’ movement corridors.
During the engagement, troops observed that the attackers operated in dispersed motorcycle formations, with approximately 15 riders seen scattering in different directions as defensive and supporting operations were activated. One of the fleeing attackers was neutralised during the encounter, while surviving elements withdrew under pressure into surrounding terrain.
Military sources further confirmed that hostile elements attempted to exploit gaps during the initial phase of the attack but were repelled following reinforcement and coordinated fire support from multiple units. Following the encounter, troops conducted extensive clearance and pursuit operations across withdrawal routes, recovering one motorcycle and ammunition rounds believed to have been abandoned during the attackers’ retreat.
In a related development, military forces have intensified aggressive aerial and ground patrols across key corridors in Borno State, including routes linking Auno, Benisheikh, Ngamdu, Konduga, Mafa and Maiduguri metropolis, as part of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement. Security sources said the enhanced surveillance posture also covered areas around Alau Dam and other identified infiltration routes, following intelligence on possible regrouping of insurgent elements.
The military described the operations as part of sustained counter‑insurgency efforts aimed at degrading the operational capability of terrorist groups and preventing further attacks on military and civilian targets in the North‑East. Authorities reaffirmed that troops remain on high alert across all forward operating bases and continue to maintain an aggressive posture in both ground and aerial operations to ensure stability within the theatre.
In Yobe State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested two suspected terrorist informants during an intelligence‑led operation. Military sources reported that the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday, June 3, by personnel of the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The suspects were identified as Gambo Bukar, 28, from Kimeri Village in Gujba Local Government Area, and Ahmad Ahmed, 21, from Yari Village, also in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. According to security sources, the operation followed actionable intelligence indicating that the suspects were serving as informants for Boko Haram and ISWAP elements operating within the area. Troops acted on credible intelligence to track and arrest the suspects, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend a third individual who remains at large. The two suspects have since been handed over to military authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security sources said intelligence‑driven operations remained a critical component of ongoing counter‑insurgency efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks and denying insurgents access to information and logistics. Meanwhile, the military said the general security situation across the North‑East theatre remained calm but unpredictable, necessitating sustained vigilance by troops and other security stakeholders.
Gajigana, the scene of the thwarted attack in Borno State, has witnessed multiple insurgent incursions in the past, with terrorist groups frequently targeting military positions and civilian communities in Nganzai LGA. The successful repulsion of the latest attack underscores the military’s continued efforts to maintain pressure on insurgent factions operating in the Lake Chad region.
The arrests in Gujba LGA of Yobe State come amid a broader crackdown on terrorist collaborators across the North‑East. In recent days, troops have arrested suspected logistics suppliers and informants in multiple states, including Borno, Adamawa and Niger, as part of intensified operations targeting the support networks that sustain insurgent activities.
As of Friday evening, no group has claimed responsibility for the failed attack in Gajigana. The military has urged residents of Borno and Yobe States to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies. The Theatre Command has reassured the public of its commitment to sustaining operational momentum until lasting peace is restored across the region.
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