Troops repelled ISWAP attack on Sokoto

The presence of Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-West region was confirmed by the Defence Headquarters on Monday.

The group had been wreaking havoc in the North-East prior to this.

In a press release, Major-General Benjamin Sawyerr, Director Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, said that an ISWAP attack on the Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Burkusuma in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State was repelled by Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji working with other security agencies.

He said troops quickly repelled the failed attack, which occurred around 5:30 a.m. on September 26, 2021, in a remote border settlement with the Niger Republic.

“The aggressive operations of FOB troops, as seen in recent months in the North West region, have been a thorn in the flesh of ISWAP and bandits,” he claims. When the main troops were out conducting offensive operations within their area of responsibility, the attackers came in large numbers, using a telecom network provided by a neighboring country, and took advantage of the weak rear area protection force.

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“However, rapid reinforcement by own troops helped to counter the attack, as many ISWAP fighters were eliminated, while others scrambled with various degrees of injuries, resulting in their pursuit to Bassira in the Niger Republic.

“Unfortunately, some level of casualty on the part of own troops was recorded during the encounter.“

Meanwhile, Nigerian and Nigerien forces are pursuing the remaining ISWAP fighters in a joint operation. The FOB’s and its environs’ general security has been stabilized.”