Escalation Alert: Nigerian Military Confirms Fierce Battles Against Terrorists Using Armed Drones and RPGs

The security landscape in North-east Nigeria has reached a critical new phase. The Nigerian military’s joint task force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has confirmed that terrorists are now employing advanced warfare technology, including armed drones and Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), in coordinated attacks against troops.

In a fierce defensive operation, OPHK forces successfully repelled simultaneous, high-intensity assaults, demonstrating the military’s robust capacity to counter this sophisticated threat.

Coordinated Attacks Across Borno and Yobe States
In the early hours of Thursday, between midnight and 4 a.m., suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched multiple, synchronized ambushes across four critical locations: Dikwa, Mafa, and Gajibo in Borno State, and Katarko in Yobe State.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the North-east spokesperson for OPHK, confirmed the intensity of the engagement, noting that the insurgents did not rely on traditional small arms. Instead, they leveraged armed drones and RPGs, resulting in fierce firefights. In locations like Mafa and Dikwa, the aerial and ground fire proved strong enough to momentarily breach parts of the military defenses and set fire to several vehicles and buildings.

Operation Hadin Kai: A Decisive Victory Against High-Tech Terror
Despite the shocking escalation in the terrorists’ weaponry, the troops of OPHK held their ground, fighting gallantly to repel the coordinated attacks.

The military’s response was swift and strategically coordinated, leaning on superior technology:

The offensive was supported by air platforms from the Air Component Command of OPHK. Furthermore, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets provided enhanced battlefield awareness, giving the troops a lethal advantage. The decisive response led to the elimination of at least 50 terrorists. Ground forces, backed by close air support, continue to pursue over 70 wounded terrorists.

The successful repulsion of these attacks highlights the military’s renewed capacity and commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Sophistication and Infiltration: The Evolving Threat
The undeniable confirmation that terrorists are utilizing armed drones signals a significant and concerning increase in their operational sophistication. This capability demands continuous adaptation and resource allocation from Nigeria’s defense sector.

Further intelligence reports revealed the infiltration routes used by the attackers: Terrorists who struck Dikwa and Gajibo reportedly infiltrated from Cameroon, while the group that attacked Katarko advanced from the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent hideout.

The military recovered a substantial cache of weapons from the terrorists, including 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, and thousands of assorted ammunition rounds, underscoring the scale of the intended assault.

While some troops sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment, the Nigerian military headquarters has commended the gallantry and steadfast performance of the soldiers, reassuring the nation of their unwavering resolve against all threats.