The Nigerian military has confirmed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) repelled a major Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Borno State involving the use of armed drones and heavy mortar fire.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, the attack occurred in the early hours of November 4, 2025, at the Kangar FOB in Mallam Fatori.
The insurgents launched the coordinated assault around 4:30 a.m., deploying drones and mortar shells against the base’s defensive positions. However, the troops, reinforced by the Main Force from Sector 3, displayed “exceptional gallantry and tactical superiority” in repelling the offensive.
“Despite the use of drones and indirect fire, the troops held their ground and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, supported by close air assistance from Nigerien fighter jets,” Uba said. “The terrorists, overwhelmed by the joint forces’ superior firepower, fled into the waterways of the Tumbuns, carrying their casualties.”
The military confirmed that six terrorists were killed during the encounter, while several others were neutralized in subsequent air interdictions carried out jointly by the Nigerian and Nigerien air forces.
Recovered weapons included five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five RPG bombs, four armed drone bombs, five hand grenades, two bandoliers, and a mobile phone.
A few personnel from Operation HADIN KAI and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained minor injuries and were promptly evacuated for medical treatment. They are said to be in stable condition.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba added that exploitation operations are ongoing in surrounding areas to pursue fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, reaffirming its commitment to restoring peace and stability across the North East through sustained and coordinated operations.
