Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Yobe, Kill Over 20 Insurgents

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled coordinated attacks by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Yobe State, killing more than 20 insurgents during a fierce overnight battle.

The military sources said the terrorists launched the attacks on the troops’ location in Goniri, under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, from the night of March 9 through the early hours of March 10, 2026.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Sani Uba, the insurgents advanced from multiple directions, including the Goniri village and Ngamdu junction axis, in an apparent attempt to encircle the military position.

However, the troops detected the movement through surveillance assets and responded swiftly with what the military described as superior firepower and coordinated defensive manoeuvres.
The statement added that reinforcements were quickly mobilised while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support, helping to degrade the terrorists’ fighting capability.

During the intense firefight, more than 20 insurgents were killed, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, said to be the “Munzir” of Dursula.
Troops also recovered several bodies of the insurgents alongside weapons and equipment abandoned during their retreat. Items recovered include machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition.

The military said further clearance operations in Gwaigomari led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols that continued into the early hours of March 11.
Some soldiers sustained injuries during the encounter and were evacuated for medical treatment. The military said they are currently in stable condition.

Authorities added that the area remains firmly under the control of troops, while ground forces supported by air assets are conducting aggressive follow-up operations and search missions in nearby communities where some wounded insurgents are believed to have fled.

The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, reiterating its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace across Nigeria’s North-East region