Nigerian Army overruns ISWAP in Mandaragirau, 38 terrorists killed

Crime Diary

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — 28 March 2026 — Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Saturday repelled an attempted attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Sector 2. The troops mounted coordinated ambushes and launched a deliberate counter-offensive, forcing the insurgents into a disorderly retreat, while the Air Component provided close air support and ISR feedback to sharpen targeted responses.

According to a statement, on Saturday, by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at OPHK Headquarters, follow-up operations along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes inflicted heavy losses. About 38 insurgents were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered at the scene and local intelligence confirming over 30 more corpses and weapons scattered along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle. Blood trails and abandoned equipment further evidenced the scale of the defeat.

Recovered items included seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and assorted ammunition. No fatalities were recorded, though one MRAP was struck by RPG fire; injured personnel were promptly stabilised. The victory has sparked jubilation among local communities and underscores OPHK’s sustained dominance in denying terrorists freedom of action.

Exploitation operations continue along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis to recover remaining corpses and consolidate gains.