Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled a midnight attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad insurgents in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State following a gun battle with advancing fighters.

Security sources said the incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. on March 28, 2026, at Ajilari Cross, where troops were positioned in an ambush as part of ongoing “en masse ambush” operational directives. The attackers reportedly launched a coordinated assault from two directions in an attempt to overrun the military position.

According to the sources, troops held their ground and engaged the insurgents in a sustained exchange of fire, preventing the attempted breach of their defensive line.

During the confrontation, the attackers reportedly set two military platforms ablaze before reinforcements arrived at the scene.

A Quick Reaction Force from the battalion headquarters, led by the commanding officer and supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and Crack Squad operatives, was deployed promptly and helped repel the assault.

Following the encounter, troops launched a follow-up operation beyond the contact area to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

Security sources said the military remains committed to sustained offensive and defensive operations aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities across the North-East theatre.

They also commended ongoing cooperation between troops and local support groups, noting that the collaboration continues to strengthen operational effectiveness in counterinsurgency efforts.