Troops of the JointTask Force (North East) , deployed in Goniri, under Sector 2 of OPHK , have successfully foiled coordinated attacks launched by ISWAP terrorists on their location in Goniri, Yobe State, killing over 20 terrorists. The attacks occurred from the night of Monday, 9 March 2026, through the early hours of Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 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 while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely and decisive close air support, further degrading the terrorists’ combat capability. During the intense firefight, the terrorists were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray, suffering heavy casualties. Over 20 terrorists were neutralised, including a senior terrorist commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.
Following the failed attack, troops recovered several terrorist bodies along with weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat. Recovered items include multiple 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 Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
