Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully repelled coordinated attacks launched by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on their location in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 insurgents, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, who detailed how the troops repelled the attacks which occurred between the night of Monday, March 9 and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
According to the statement, surveillance assets detected the terrorists advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in an apparent attempt to encircle the military location. The troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre, effectively coordinating their defensive actions. Reinforcements were mobilised while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support, further weakening the terrorists’ combat capability.
During the intense firefight, the attackers were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties. Troops recovered several terrorist bodies alongside weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat, including machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs, and assorted ammunition.
Further clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols in Gwaigomari. The military confirmed that troops who sustained injuries were evacuated for medical attention and are in stable condition, while the location remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai forces.
Ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are continuing aggressive follow-up operations in surrounding areas, with search and clearance missions ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded terrorists are suspected to have fled.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace across the North-East region. The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience and urged them to sustain the operational momentum.
By Emmanuel Obisue, Abuja
