Nigerian Army troops have foiled a major terrorist attack in Kukawa LGA of Borno State after a fierce overnight confrontation supported by aerial bombardment.
Gatekeepers News reports that security sources disclosed that the heavily armed insurgents launched a coordinated assault on military positions from several directions, advancing on foot, in gun-mounted vehicles, and on motorcycles. The attack triggered hours of intense fighting that stretched into the early hours of Friday, February 21, 2026.
Counterinsurgency platform Zagazola Makama reported that one soldier lost his life during the encounter, while several others sustained injuries. The wounded personnel were promptly evacuated for medical attention and are currently said to be responding to treatment.
According to military sources, the troops maintained their defensive lines and engaged the attackers in sustained gun battles, eventually overpowering them and forcing a retreat.
As the insurgents attempted to flee, Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were deployed to provide close air support, targeting their escape routes. The air strikes reportedly destroyed at least one gun truck and several motorcycles used by the fleeing fighters, leading to further casualties among the attackers.
Following the operation, troops carried out a thorough search of the area and recovered a significant cache of weapons and equipment abandoned by the terrorists.
Items retrieved included 13 AK-47 rifles, 16 fully loaded magazines, three handheld communication radios, and other military-grade materials believed to have been deployed during the attack. Evidence of blood trails and improvised evacuation efforts suggested that the insurgents suffered substantial losses.
Some military hardware and installations were damaged during the exchange of fire, particularly from rocket-propelled grenades launched by the attackers. However, authorities said the situation is now under control, with security presence reinforced across Kukawa and surrounding communities to prevent further incursions.
Military authorities described the operation as part of sustained offensives aimed at weakening terrorist networks across the North-East, particularly in the Lake Chad axis, which has remained a hotspot for insurgent activities.
They reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to maintaining relentless pressure on terror groups until lasting peace and stability are restored in the region.
