The Nigerian military has reported that its forces from the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, successfully thwarted an assault by ISWAP militants on the Forward Operating Base in Maiduguri early on May 7, 2026. The attack occurred under cover of darkness, with the terrorists attempting to breach the base’s perimeter.
According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel, Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the insurgents managed to penetrate a small section temporarily, but troops responded with gallantry and decisively crushed the assault, inflicting heavy casualties. The Army noted that subsequent sweeps of the area revealed extensive blood trails, drag marks, and recovered bodies of terrorists, underscoring the severe losses suffered by the attackers.
Weapons recovered from the fleeing militants included PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles, and various magazines. The statement further noted that two soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice during the engagement, while an officer and other wounded personnel are in stable condition and receiving medical care. Some equipment and temporary structures were damaged by fire in the intense fighting.
The military continues exploitation operations to solidify the gains from the encounter, with further battle damage assessments ongoing. The statement emphasized that the failed attack highlights the resolve of Operation HADIN KAI troops to deny terrorists any freedom of action across the theater. The high command commended the troops for their outstanding performance and urged them to maintain the operational tempo.