Troops Kill 4 Terrorists, Foil Base Attacks in Borno as JAS Commander Surrenders

Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled two separate terrorist assaults on Forward Operating Bases in Borno State, killing four insurgents and recovering a cache of weapons, while sustained military pressure forced a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) commander and another fighter to surrender with arms.

According to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), the incidents unfolded on 16 and 17 September 2026. On the evening of 17 September, alert troops at the Forward Operating Base in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area, detected terrorists advancing toward the position. The early warning was reinforced by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support from the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Soldiers quickly took defensive positions as the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI delivered close air support. Confronted by the coordinated ground and air response, the attackers withdrew into nearby areas without overrunning the base.

Later that same night, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters launched a more determined assault on the Forward Operating Base at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area. Troops mounted stiff resistance, again backed by robust close air support. The attackers were contained, and the integrity of the base was preserved. Follow-up exploitation of the area yielded the bodies of four terrorists along with several AK-47 rifles, magazines, quantities of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs, a camcorder and other items. Some soldiers wounded in the exchange were stabilised on site and airlifted to hospital for further treatment.

In a related development the previous night, two JAS terrorists—including a Qaid, or local commander—surrendered to troops of Sector 1 along the Miyanti–Darel Jamel main supply route in Bama Local Government Area. They handed over three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, a motorcycle and a quantity of ammunition. The pair are now in military custody undergoing preliminary investigation and profiling in line with established procedures.

The Sector 3 commander later visited the affected locations for a post-engagement assessment, during which he commended the troops and directed reinforcement of the bases to consolidate defensive gains. Operations continue in the surrounding areas to prevent remaining terrorist elements from regrouping.

Theatre Commander Major General Ibikunle Ajose, who assumed leadership of Operation HADIN KAI only days earlier, praised the vigilance, courage and effective coordination of the troops, Multinational Joint Task Force ISR personnel and aircrew. He reaffirmed the force’s determination to maintain pressure on terrorist groups across the North East and protect civilian communities. Ajose again urged fighters still in the bush to lay down their arms and surrender through official channels, while appealing to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

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The latest successes form part of ongoing efforts to degrade the operational capacity of both JAS and ISWAP factions, deny them freedom of movement and encourage further defections through sustained ground and air operations.