Troops repel ISWAP attack in Yobe, killing over 20 insurgents after coordinated assaults on a military base in Goniri, the army says
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated ISWAP attack in Yobe, killing more than 20 insurgents during an intense overnight battle in Goniri, Yobe State.
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The military said fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province launched the assault on troops stationed in Goniri under Sector 2 of the operation between the night of Monday, March 9, and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of the task force, Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the insurgents attempted to encircle the military position by launching attacks from multiple directions.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), deployed in Goniri under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully foiled coordinated attacks launched by ISWAP terrorists on their location in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 terrorists,” Uba said.
The military spokesman explained that the insurgents were first detected through surveillance assets as they advanced simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu Junction axis in an apparent attempt to surround the base.
Troops responded with superior firepower and coordinated defensive manoeuvres, while reinforcements were mobilised to support the frontline soldiers.
The air component of the operation also provided close air support during the fierce engagement, significantly degrading the fighting capability of the insurgents.
“During the intense firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties,” Uba said.
Among those killed was a senior insurgent commander identified as Abu Yusu, described as the Munzir of Dursula.
Troops also recovered several weapons abandoned by the fleeing fighters, including multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, bombs and assorted ammunition.
Follow-up clearance operations were later conducted in Gwaigomari, where additional bodies of insurgents were discovered during patrols extending into the early hours of Wednesday, March 11.
The military said soldiers wounded during the encounter had been evacuated for medical treatment and were in stable condition.
Uba added that the military base remained firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai forces, while troops and air assets continued aggressive search and clearance operations in nearby communities where wounded insurgents were suspected to have fled.
The operation, he said, remains committed to defeating insurgency and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
Herdsman Killed, 1,400 Sheep Rustled in Borno
In a separate incident, suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters attacked a nomadic settlement in Konduga Local Government Area, leaving one herder dead and about 1,400 sheep rustled.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso.
Daso said the attackers stormed the settlement at Wuturo around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, riding on five motorcycles.
Preliminary investigations showed that a herder identified as Ahmadu Baida, 40, sustained fatal gunshot injuries, while another victim, Mohammadu Baida, 30, suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg.
The attackers also rustled about 1,400 sheep belonging to the herdsmen in the settlement.
Meanwhile, the military recently announced that it had reclaimed its base in Ngoshe following an earlier ISWAP attack in the area.
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Speaking after a meeting with service chiefs on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the armed forces would restructure ongoing operations across conflict zones to curb persistent insurgent threats.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
