Army says over 25 ISWAP fighters killed as troops repel Kukawa attack

The Nigerian Army says troops have repelled an ISWAP attack on their base in Kukawa, Borno State, with more than 25 insurgents believed killed. The Army also acknowledged that some soldiers died in the fighting.

The attackers approached the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions. Ground troops, supported by the air component, fought back and forced the surviving attackers to flee, according to the military account.

Captain Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer for Operation Hadin Kai, said the casualty estimate was preliminary and that 14 insurgents’ bodies had been recovered. The Army did not give a figure for the soldiers killed in the statement reported by Punch and Daily Trust.

Vanguard, citing security sources, reported that the attack took place between about 9pm and 11:30pm on Tuesday. Its account also said some soldiers were injured.

Troops recovered weapons and ammunition, including six AK-47 rifles, according to Goni. Daily Trust also reported residents’ accounts of heavy gunfire and the arrival of two fighter jets.

The military said follow-up operations were continuing to track fleeing attackers, recover more weapons and prevent the group from regrouping.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Daily Trust