At least four soldiers sustained injuries as troops of the Nigerian Army foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, killing 26 fighters in a coordinated ground and air operation.
The terrorists launched the attack at about 10:50pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, targeting troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops responded swiftly with effective direct and indirect fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
He said several terrorists were neutralised during the fierce engagement, while others were observed sustaining gunshot wounds as they fled the area.
According to him, troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered the bodies of some of the terrorists, confirming the casualties inflicted during the encounter.
Goni said the terrorists, who withdrew towards Cross Kauwa on motorcycles, were tracked and engaged by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
“Despite challenging weather conditions, the Air Component successfully engaged terrorists taking cover under trees, neutralising an estimated 10 terrorists,” he said.
He added that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
The intelligence, he said, enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, killing an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
During subsequent exploitation operations, ground troops recovered two motorcycles, neutralised another terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
The Theatre Command said the coordinated ground and air operations disrupted the attack, intercepted the terrorists’ withdrawal and further degraded their ability to regroup or sustain operations in the area.
“Following the engagement, troops were immediately replenished by air with essential combat enablers to sustain operational effectiveness and maintain pressure on the terrorists,” Goni said.
He said the four wounded personnel sustained no life-threatening injuries and were promptly evacuated by air for medical attention, adding that they were in stable condition.
He added that troops had commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter were ongoing.
At least four soldiers sustained injuries as troops of the Nigerian Army foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, killing 26 fighters in a coordinated ground and air operation.
The terrorists launched the attack at about 10:50pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, targeting troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops responded swiftly with effective direct and indirect fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
He said several terrorists were neutralised during the fierce engagement, while others were observed sustaining gunshot wounds as they fled the area.
According to him, troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered the bodies of some of the terrorists, confirming the casualties inflicted during the encounter.
Goni said the terrorists, who withdrew towards Cross Kauwa on motorcycles, were tracked and engaged by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
“Despite challenging weather conditions, the Air Component successfully engaged terrorists taking cover under trees, neutralising an estimated 10 terrorists,” he said.
He added that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
The intelligence, he said, enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, killing an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
During subsequent exploitation operations, ground troops recovered two motorcycles, neutralised another terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
The Theatre Command said the coordinated ground and air operations disrupted the attack, intercepted the terrorists’ withdrawal and further degraded their ability to regroup or sustain operations in the area.
“Following the engagement, troops were immediately replenished by air with essential combat enablers to sustain operational effectiveness and maintain pressure on the terrorists,” Goni said.
He said the four wounded personnel sustained no life-threatening injuries and were promptly evacuated by air for medical attention, adding that they were in stable condition.
He added that troops had commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter were ongoing.
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