Mohamed Garba/Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In an operation on Wednesday, Nigerian naval forces successfully responded to an attempted attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a strategic naval installation at Fish Dam, Baga, in Borno State’s Kukawa Local Government Area.
The troops under Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a coordinated early-morning attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the Nigerian Navy base at the Lake Chad Fish Dam, killing scores of insurgents in the process.
The attack, which occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, was aimed at destroying swamp bogeys recently acquired by the Borno State Government to aid navigation and clear waterways in the troubled Lake Chad region.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Army via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the terrorists’ infiltration was met with stiff resistance by naval personnel, who were reinforced by troops stationed in Baga. The ensuing gun battle lasted more than two hours.
“In a well-coordinated joint land, maritime and air operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists that attempted to infiltrate the Naval Base Lake Chad in Fish Dam,” the statement read.
The terrorists were eventually forced to flee after failing to access or destroy the swamp bogeys. However, a limited breach of the base resulted in the destruction of an ambulance and two other vehicles, while some military personnel sustained injuries during the exchange.
The Army also revealed that improvised explosive device (IED) materials were recovered from the fleeing insurgents. Aerial support units are currently pursuing retreating fighters across the waterways in a bid to prevent regrouping.
“The air component platforms are currently conducting follow-on pursuit exploitation on the waterways to further decimate the terrorists,” the Army added.
The swift military response prevented what could have been significant damage to critical equipment intended for regional security operations.
Wednesday’s attack highlights ongoing threats in the Lake Chad region, a long-time flashpoint in Nigeria’s war against insurgency. However, the military’s swift and coordinated response demonstrates a growing capacity to protect strategic infrastructure and deny terrorists key operational objectives.
