Troops foil coordinated attacks, kill 20 terrorists in Yobe

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), deployed in Goniri, under Sector 2  of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have foiled coordinated attacks launched by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on their location in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 terrorists.

The attacks occurred from the night of Monday, March 9, 2026, through the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, when the troops came under heavy assault from multiple directions.

The terrorists were initially detected through surveillance assets advancing simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in an apparent attempt to encircle the military location.

Impressively, the vigilant and gallant troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre, effectively coordinating their defensive actions.

Reinforcements were promptly mobilised and the Air Component of OPHK provided timely and decisive close air support, further degrading the terrorists’ combat capability.

According to the Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK, Lt-Col Sani Uba, during the firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties.

He stressed that over 20 terrorists were neutralised, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.

Following the failed attack, troops recovered many bodies along with weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat. Recovered items include machine guns, AK-47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibres.

Further exploitation and clearance operations by troops in the general area of Gwaigomari within the Timbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols conducted up to the early hours of March 11.

Troops, who sustained injuries during the encounter, were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are reportedly in stable condition.

The location remains firmly under the control of OPHK troops. Ground forces, supported by the air component, are conducting aggressive follow-up operations in the surrounding areas.

Additional search and clearance operations are ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded terrorists are suspected to have fled.

The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience while urging them to sustain the operational tempo.(Guardian)