Dawn Assault on New Marte Foiled: Troops Decimate Insurgents, Two Soldiers Pay Ultimate Sacrifice

NEW MARTE, BORNO STATE – In a fierce pre-dawn encounter on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on their location in New Marte, Borno State. The valiant efforts of ground forces, significantly bolstered by precision air strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, resulted in the decimation of numerous insurgents, though two brave soldiers regrettably paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The attempted infiltration, which occurred in the early hours, was met with overwhelming firepower from alert troops. Military sources indicate the terrorists, arriving on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) SUV, aimed to breach the battalion’s defenses at approximately 1:35 AM.

“A fierce firefight ensued,” stated Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, in a statement released earlier today. He highlighted the critical role of the Air Component, which provided immediate Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and offensive fire support, effectively “decimating several fleeing terrorists.”

ADVERTISEMENT

During the ensuing pursuit and exploitation of the area, troops recovered the abandoned VBIED SUV, a potent explosive device intended for widespread damage. Numerous motorcycles used by the terrorists were also destroyed by precision air strikes, a testament to the aerial component’s decisive intervention. Lifeless bodies of the insurgents were discovered, with blood trails along their withdrawal routes indicating a higher number of casualties among the fleeing attackers. Some reports suggest at least 15 insurgent bodies were hastily evacuated by their comrades.

The military confirmed the profound loss of two soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of their position and the nation. Their names are being withheld pending notification of their families.

In a related development, OPHK troops also successfully repelled a separate, daring attempt by terrorists to attack the Forward Operating Base at Kumshe, further demonstrating the heightened state of readiness and effectiveness of the joint forces.

Captain Kovangiya emphasized that this collaborative effort underscores the “renewed jointness and team spirit in the fight against terrorism.” The objective, he reiterated, remains to bring lasting peace and enable socio-economic activities to thrive once more in the North East region.

Today’s successful defense against a determined insurgent attack sends a clear message of the Nigerian military’s unwavering commitment to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore stability to the troubled region. Follow-up operations are reportedly underway to track down any surviving terrorists and recover further arms and logistics.