By Fatima Mukhtar
The Nigerian Army, supported by the Air Force, has repelled a major assault launched by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on communities around Chibok in Borno State, eliminating scores of the militants during a coordinated counter-operation.
According to security sources, the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, was carried out by over 300 heavily armed fighters who attempted a multi-directional strike on Chibok and nearby villages. Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai immediately engaged the attackers in an intense two-hour gun battle, forcing them to retreat toward the notorious Timbuktu Triangle.
Military sources confirmed that no soldiers were killed and no equipment was lost during the encounter. However, two civilians were reported dead, and a church in Kwada village was set ablaze during the initial attack.
As the militants fled, the Nigerian Air Force launched multiple precision strikes to prevent their regrouping. Manned aircraft conducted at least four major air raids along known escape routes, while an armed drone provided continuous surveillance and targeted fleeing fighters with high-accuracy strikes. These efforts resulted in heavy casualties within the ranks of the attackers and destroyed several of their positions.
Intelligence reports indicated that the combined ground and air operations dealt a significant blow to ISWAP’s capability to stage further large-scale attacks in the area.
The Chibok region has experienced repeated terrorist incursions in the past decade, but recent coordinated military responses have strengthened security around the community.
Authorities say clearance operations are still ongoing in surrounding forests to prevent the militants from reorganizing.
