Borno Battle: Army Claims Over 25 ISWAP Fighters Killed as Soldiers Die in Fierce Attack

By Globalvoice Investigations

The Nigerian Army says troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI have killed more than 25 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a coordinated assault on a military position in Kukawa, Borno State.

The Army, however, also confirmed that some of its soldiers were killed during the fierce encounter, although it did not disclose the number of military personnel who lost their lives.

The clash reportedly occurred when a large number of ISWAP fighters launched a four pronged attack against troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion, attempting to overwhelm the military position from different directions.

Four Pronged Assault on Military Base

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, said the insurgents attacked in large numbers from four separate flanks.

According to the Army, troops responded with sustained firepower, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated battlefield operations.

The military said the ground forces were supported by the Air Component, allowing the troops to repel the assault and inflict heavy casualties on the attacking fighters.

“The preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” the Army said.

The wording leaves a significant gap in the available casualty picture.

While the Army claims that more than 25 ISWAP fighters were killed, only 14 bodies had reportedly been recovered at the time of the statement. It therefore remains unclear how many additional fighters were killed but could not be recovered, or whether the preliminary figure could change as the area is further searched.

The Army also said surviving insurgents fled the area in disarray.

Weapons Recovered

During subsequent exploitation of the battlefield, troops reportedly recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.

The recovered weapons included six AK-47 rifles, according to the military.

The Army said troops were continuing to search the area for additional weapons while pursuing fleeing insurgents and attempting to prevent them from regrouping.

The recovery of weapons could provide investigators with further information about the size and composition of the attacking force, although the military did not disclose the full quantity of ammunition or other equipment recovered.

Soldiers Also Killed

Despite repelling the assault, the Army acknowledged that the victory came at a cost.

“Regrettably,” the military said, some soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.

The Army offered condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, describing their courage and sacrifice as a testament to their service to Nigeria.

However, the number of soldiers killed was not disclosed.

That omission leaves one of the most important aspects of the confrontation unanswered.

The military has provided a preliminary estimate of enemy casualties and disclosed that 14 insurgent bodies were recovered, but has not released the corresponding figure for its own losses.

The number of soldiers wounded was also not immediately provided.

What Does the Attack Reveal About ISWAP's Capabilities?

The reported four direction assault raises broader questions about the operational capabilities of ISWAP in the Lake Chad region.

For an insurgent group to mount a coordinated attack against a Special Forces position from multiple flanks suggests a level of organisation, intelligence gathering and battlefield confidence that warrants scrutiny.

The military's ability to repel the attack and deploy air support demonstrates the importance of coordinated air-ground operations. But the fact that insurgents were able to assemble a sizeable force and launch a direct assault on a military position also raises questions about how they were able to approach the base without being detected earlier.

Were there intelligence gaps?

How large was the attacking force?

And what allowed the insurgents to reach the military position in sufficient numbers to launch a four-pronged assault?

These questions become particularly important in a theatre where military bases and patrols have previously faced attacks by insurgent groups.

Army Vows to Maintain Pressure

The Nigerian Army described the successful defence of the position as evidence of the combat readiness and resilience of troops operating in the North-East.

It also said the engagement demonstrated the growing effectiveness of air-ground coordination and joint military operations in disrupting terrorist activities.

The Army vowed to maintain pressure on ISWAP and other criminal groups through aggressive patrols, intelligence led operations and coordinated offensives involving other security agencies.

The stated objective, according to the military, is to dismantle terrorist networks, protect communities and prevent insurgents from regaining operational momentum.

But the latest battle also illustrates the continuing cost of the conflict.

The Army says more than 25 ISWAP fighters were killed, while acknowledging that some Nigerian soldiers also died. Until the military releases the full casualty figures and provides a clearer account of how the attack unfolded, the true scale of the battle and what it reveals about the insurgents' continuing ability to strike military positions remains an important unanswered question.