Security: Nigerian Forces successfully repel ISWAP attack on strategic Lake Chad naval base
In a decisive nighttime operation, Nigerian armed forces thwarted a major assault by Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants targeting the crucial Lake Chad naval base near Fish Dam. The well-coordinated defense, occurring in the early hours of Wednesday morning, prevented jihadist forces from destroying newly acquired mine-clearing equipment vital for securing the region’s waterways.
Military officials reported that approximately at 2:00 AM, ISWAP fighters launched their attack in an attempt to disable specialized Swamp Boggey vessels amphibious mine-clearing craft recently deployed as part of Borno State’s comprehensive Lake Chad security program.
The base’s garrison troops, reinforced by rapid response units from Baga, engaged the attackers in intense combat that lasted over two hours before forcing their retreat.
The Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai demonstrated remarkable coordination during the counterattack, effectively deploying combined ground, air, and naval assets.
Preliminary reports indicate significant jihadist casualties, with dozens of insurgents neutralized and multiple explosive devices captured.
While the defense proved successful, the engagement resulted in limited Nigerian losses including one destroyed ambulance, two damaged vehicles, and several wounded personnel.
As of this reporting, aerial surveillance operations continue to track remaining hostile elements in the area.
This failed assault represents the latest in a string of ISWAP operations attempting to disrupt military activities in the strategically vital Lake Chad region. The attack follows recent Nigerian counterterrorism successes including coordinated June 9 strikes that eliminated jihadist strongholds in Nzalgana, Tumbuktu Triangle, and Abadam operations that claimed the life of prominent ISWAP commander Ameer Malam Jidda.
Simultaneously, in Nigeria’s northwest, security forces continue operations against armed bandits, with a recent operation in Zamfara State resulting in ten bandit casualties and the seizure of significant weapons caches.
The successful defense of the naval base highlights both the growing capabilities of Nigerian forces and ISWAP’s increasing desperation to counter enhanced maritime security measures.
Security analysts note that the jihadists’ specific targeting of demining equipment reveals their vulnerability to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to secure Lake Chad’s waterways, a critical front in the regional counterinsurgency campaign.
Stan OKAFOR
