Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Few days after President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country Of Particular Concern (CPC), Military troops of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have engaged dozens of terrorists in a fierce gun duel at Kangara in Malam Fatori near Chad-Niger borders in Borno State.
Terrorists suspected to be Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the military Forward Operational Base at Kangara in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government in the northern part of Borno early Tuesday.
Operation Hadin Kai Spokesman, Lt Col Sani Uba, in a statement said the military base at Kangara came under attack of the terrorists at about 4:30am.
“The terrorists attacked with armed drones and mortars leading to injuries to some CJTF and soldiers.
The attack was defeated by the gallant troops supported by the Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms,” Uba said.
The military spokesperson said a number of the terrorists were neutralised by military troops.
According to him, troops seized four armed drone bombs used by the terrorists, five AK 47 rifles, eight AK 47 rifle magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 ammo, five RPG bombs and other ammunition during the encounter.
Uba added that the Nigerien Air Force conducted follow-up strikes on the retreating terrorists, leading to the killing of scores of the attackers.
Malam Fatori lies along the Lake Chad shores and has been a hotbed of terrorist attacks with ISWAP presence in the area.