Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised more than 60 terrorists in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, in a major offensive against insurgent groups.
According to military authorities, some of those killed were top commanders linked to the Boko Haram and ISWAP factions.
The operation followed an attempted attack by the insurgents, who reportedly advanced on foot from the Duguri area, supported by armed drones, with the aim of breaching the 68 Battalion’s defensive position.
However, the movement was quickly detected by troops, who responded with heavy firepower. In a coordinated assault involving both ground forces and air support, the military overpowered the attackers, forcing the surviving fighters to retreat in disarray toward the Arege area.
A statement by the spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, described the engagement as decisive, noting that troops have since launched follow-up operations to track down fleeing insurgents and prevent them from regrouping.
He added that intelligence and surveillance platforms are being deployed to monitor escape routes and maintain pressure on the terrorists.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustained offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and protecting lives and property across the country.
The latest operation comes just days after deadly suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri left at least 23 people dead and over 100 injured, raising fresh concerns about a resurgence of violence in the region.
In response, President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to oversee intensified counter-terrorism efforts. Despite the recent attacks, authorities say normalcy has begun to return to the city, with joint security operations ongoing and investigations still in progress.
