By Achile Danjuma
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the joint task force operating in Nigeria’s North-East, successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on a military facility in Goniri, Yobe State.
In a statement released on Monday, the Media Information Officer for the task force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed that the insurgents launched the assault late Sunday night, with the fighting extending into the early hours of Monday.
“The attack occurred between 10:00 p.m. on March 8 and 3:00 a.m. on March 9, 2026. The terrorists attempted to overrun our positions by launching simultaneous assaults from multiple directions,” Lt. Col. Uba stated.
He detailed that the troops mounted a vigorous defense, coordinating their efforts effectively across several fronts. The situation was stabilized with crucial support from quick-response reinforcements and aerial strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
“Facing attacks on multiple fronts, our forces maintained coordinated defensive actions. The timely intervention of reinforcements and the Air Component was decisive in the engagement,” he added.
According to the military, the intense firefight resulted in heavy casualties among the terrorist ranks, forcing them to retreat and abandon several of their dead on the battlefield.
While the base remained under military control throughout the encounter, Lt. Col. Uba acknowledged that the attackers briefly breached sections of the perimeter. The intensity of the firefight also caused damage to some structures and vehicles within the base.
Despite the incursion, the troops successfully held the base. In the aftermath of the attack, ground forces have launched follow-up operations in the surrounding area, with continued air support to pursue the fleeing insurgents.
Lt. Col. Uba also confirmed that Nigerian troops sustained casualties during the clash. Further details on the casualties are expected as operations conclude.