Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation HADIN KAI, have inflicted a significant blow on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, in what military officials are describing as a decisive counter‑terrorism engagement. In the early hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026, Nigerian forces engaged ISWAP fighters who attacked a Forward Operating Base at Mandaragirau and parts of the Sambisa Forest region, resulting in the reported neutralisation of 38 insurgents and the recovery of multiple bodies and weapons, according to official military statements and national reports.
According to statements released by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for Operation HADIN KAI, the engagement unfolded when insurgents launched a concentrated attack on the Mandaragirau Army base, part of Sector 2 operations. Troops responded with coordinated ambushes and a deliberate offensive‑defensive strategy, forcing the assailants into a disorderly retreat. The Nigerian military’s Air Component played an integral role, providing close air support and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assistance that helped guide targeted responses against the withdrawing insurgents.
Military exploitation of the insurgents’ withdrawal routes inflicted further losses on the extremist group, with troops reporting that at least eight bodies of ISWAP fighters were recovered on the immediate battlefield. Local residents and witnesses from communities along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis later confirmed sighting more than 30 additional bodies and abandoned weapons further along forest paths, suggesting broader insurgent casualties beyond the initial recovery zone.
Recoveries from the clash included seven AK‑47 rifles, eight magazines, four rocket‑propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, and assortments of ammunition, pointing to the scale and intensity of the confrontation. Military sources also reported that no Nigerian troops were killed during the engagement, although at least one armoured vehicle was struck by RPG fire and some personnel sustained injuries that were promptly stabilised.
The Sambisa Forest, a rugged and densely vegetated area in Borno State, has long served as a stronghold and operational base for Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, since the onset of the insurgency over a decade ago. The forest’s remote terrain has provided insurgents with cover for training camps, weapons depots, and staging areas for attacks on military and civilian targets. Operation HADIN KAI, Nigeria’s ongoing counter‑insurgency campaign launched in 2015 and redesignated in 2021 to signal renewed focus on cooperation and unified action across military branches, has repeatedly targeted these enclaves to weaken extremist influence and restore state control in the northeast.
Military officials described the latest engagement as a testament to improved coordination between ground forces and air support, highlighting how timely intelligence and precise tactical responses can disrupt insurgent advances and diminish their capacity to pose continued threats. The operation also reflects sustained pressure by Nigerian forces to disrupt ISWAP’s ability to launch multi‑directional offensives against security installations, supply lines, and civilian communities.
Residents in surrounding localities reported the aftermath of the clash, describing scenes of abandoned weapons, spent ammunition casings, and the bodies of suspected ISWAP fighters along trails and in bushland. These accounts, while fragmentary, align with military briefings and underscore the material toll exacted on the insurgent group during the engagement. Many residents welcomed the outcome as a sign that sustained military pressure may be yielding tangible results after years of insecurity, displacement, and violent attacks across parts of Borno and neighbouring states.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have routinely emphasised the importance of combining kinetic actions with reinforced intelligence, community cooperation, and stabilisation initiatives. The objective is not only to neutralise hostile forces but also to create conditions conducive to the safe return of displaced populations, the re‑establishment of normal economic activity, and the restoration of basic services in areas that have been contested or largely inaccessible due to insurgent dominance.
Security analysts observing developments in the northeast note that while operations such as the Mandaragirau engagement are significant tactical victories, extremist groups like ISWAP have shown resilience over time, adapting their tactics and exploiting gaps in security coverage. Achieving lasting stability, these experts argue, requires sustained pressure, expanded intelligence networks, enhanced community engagement, and integrated approaches that combine military, diplomatic, and development resources.
As the Joint Task Force continues operations under Operation HADIN KAI, military authorities reaffirm that efforts will be maintained across hotspots of insurgency in Borno State and adjoining regions. Commanders have reaffirmed their commitment to diminishing the operational capacity of terror groups and securing liberated territories to prevent future re‑establishment of extremist footholds. Residents and local leaders have been urged to provide actionable intelligence and support to the military, amplifying efforts to ensure local security and humanitarian stability.
The recent engagement, which underscores both the persistent threat posed by ISWAP and the capabilities of Nigerian forces to respond effectively, is likely to shape subsequent operations and inform broader strategies aimed at ultimately ending violent insurgencies in the northeast.
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