Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack on Katarko Base, Neutralize 23 Terrorists
By Passman Akpos
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Katarko in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. The encounter, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, resulted in the neutralization of 23 terrorists, with several others escaping with gunshot wounds.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Bashir Sani Abdulmumin, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 402 Special Forces Brigade, the attack took place around 3:05 a.m., when insurgents attempted to infiltrate the military base using sophisticated weapons.
However, troops of the 198 Special Forces Battalion, deployed under Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, engaged the terrorists with superior firepower and tactical precision, forcing them to retreat in disarray. The troops subsequently pursued the fleeing terrorists up to Gazargana, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Items recovered include four PKT machine guns, fourteen AK-47 rifles, one RPG tube, two RPG bombs, two 60mm Commando Mortar bombs, two hand grenades, three IED materials, a damaged radio, and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
The statement confirmed that no troop casualties were recorded during the engagement.
Following the successful operation, the Commander of 402 Special Forces Brigade, Brigadier General Mohammed Bako Shehu, visited the troops at the base to commend their bravery, resilience, and combat efficiency. He conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Commander of 4 Special Forces Command, and the Theatre Commander, urging the troops to maintain their vigilance and sustain the momentum in ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Brigadier General Shehu also visited personnel receiving treatment at the Level 2 Hospital in Damaturu, commending their courage and assuring them of the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to their welfare and recovery.
The statement added that the general security situation in the Katarko area remains under control, while troop morale is described as high and satisfactory. Operations to track and eliminate fleeing terrorists are ongoing.
This latest success underscores the continued effectiveness of the Nigerian Army’s counterinsurgency operations under Operation HADIN KAI, aimed at restoring peace and stability in Nigeria’s North East region.
