LAKE CHAD (CONVERSEER) – Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised scores of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists following an attempted infiltration of the Naval Base Lake Chad in Fish Dam during the early hours of Wednesday.
The terrorists launched the coordinated assault at about 2:00 AM, targeting newly acquired Swamp Bogeys procured by the Borno State Government for clearing operations on the Lake Chad waterways. However, their advance was fiercely resisted by naval personnel stationed at the base, with immediate reinforcement from troops in Baga.
A statement from military sources disclosed that the intense firefight, which lasted for over two hours, forced the insurgents to retreat, leaving behind numerous casualties. The joint land, maritime, and aerial counter-offensive proved decisive in halting the attempted sabotage.
“The terrorists’ plan was to destroy the Swamp Bogeys recently deployed to enhance access and mobility across the Lake Chad waterways. Our troops responded with full force and successfully prevented them from gaining access to the targeted equipment,” the source stated.
While the operation was largely successful, there was a minimal breach during which an ambulance and two other vehicles were destroyed. Some military personnel sustained injuries in the exchange.
Recovered from the retreating insurgents were various improvised explosive device (IED) materials, further pointing to the planned scale and severity of the attack.
Meanwhile, platforms of the air component of Operation Hadin Kai have launched follow-on pursuit and exploitation missions across the waterways, targeting fleeing terrorist elements to prevent regrouping and counterattacks.
“The air surveillance and engagement operations are ongoing to ensure total decimation of the terrorist elements and to maintain the security of strategic military and civil installations in the area,” the source added.
This latest encounter underscores the continued volatility of the Lake Chad axis and the increasing desperation of terrorist factions seeking to disrupt ongoing recovery and stabilisation efforts in the North East.
Security analysts view the attack as a direct response to recent government investments in restoring control and economic activity on the Lake Chad waterways, which are crucial for regional trade and counter-insurgency logistics.
Authorities have assured the public of ongoing operations to maintain the momentum against insurgency in the region.