The death toll of insurgents neutralised during a failed attack on troops in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, has risen to 75.
Security sources said the fighters, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, were killed during a coordinated response by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force.
Initial reports had put the number of insurgents killed at 61, but updated battlefield assessments and mop-up operations showed that at least 75 fighters were neutralised, with several others escaping with injuries.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the insurgents advanced on foot toward the 68 Battalion location, reportedly using armed drones in an attempt to breach the troops’ defensive lines.
The infiltration, launched from the Duguri axis toward the Bravo Company frontage, was, however, detected early and repelled by the troops.
Military sources said the operation’s success was due to effective coordination between ground forces and air support.
According to the sources, four precision air strikes were carried out on identified withdrawal routes of the insurgents, disrupting their movement and weakening their combat strength.
The sustained bombardment forced the fighters to retreat in disarray toward the Arege axis.
Additional air strikes by allied forces from the Niger Republic were also reported to have targeted fleeing insurgents, further increasing casualties, although full assessment of the strikes is ongoing.
Troops were said to have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the scene, dealing a blow to the group’s operational capacity in the Lake Chad region.
Meanwhile, four soldiers sustained minor injuries during the operation and have been treated.
