By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
A deadly confrontation unfolded in the quiet border town of Malam Fatori when fighters linked to Islamic State West Africa Province attempted a daring infiltration of military positions before dawn. What began as a coordinated assault quickly turned into one of the insurgents’ most devastating defeats in recent months .
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by the firepower of the Nigerian Air Force, responded swiftly after detecting the advancing fighters. Armed drones deployed by the insurgents failed to break defensive lines as ground forces held firm and air strikes rained down on withdrawal routes.
Initial reports placed the insurgent death toll at 61, but updated battlefield assessments revealed that at least 75 fighters were neutralised, with several others fleeing toward the Arege axis with severe injuries. Precision air interdictions pinned down the retreating militants, forcing a chaotic escape under sustained bombardment .
The clash, launched from the Duguri axis toward the 68 Battalion’s position, showcased the growing effectiveness of joint operations in the North-East. Allied air assets from the Niger Republic reportedly joined the assault, intensifying pressure on the fleeing fighters.
When the dust settled, soldiers recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition, further weakening insurgent influence around the Lake Chad. Despite the scale of the battle, only four government troops suffered minor injuries and were stabilised, marking the operation as both costly for the insurgents and strategically significant for security forces
