Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have repelled coordinated Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks across the Lake Chad region and northern Borno, reinforcing a pattern of intensified insurgent pressure met with sustained military resistance across multiple fronts.
Desk: Defence & Strategy
Date: Monday, 23 March 2026
Time: 18:10 WAT
Location: Lake Chad Region / Borno, Nigeria
The twin engagements, at Fitine Island in the Lake Chad axis and Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, underscore both the persistence of insurgent incursions and the growing operational tempo of MNJTF forces across sectors.
At Fitine Island in Chad’s Lake Province, troops under Sector 2 of the Multinational Joint Task Force engaged insurgents who infiltrated the fishing community under the cover of darkness in an attempt to overrun the military position. The troops responded with sustained firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw into the Lake Chad waterways with casualties.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Iweha Ikedichi, Acting Chief Military Public Information Officer, MNJTF, follow-up exploitation led to the recovery of six neutralised insurgents, six AK-47 rifles, fully loaded magazines, a PKT general purpose machine gun and assorted ammunition. Two soldiers injured during the encounter were evacuated for medical attention.
The Force Commander MNJTF, Major General Saidu Tanko Audu, Force Commander, MNJTF, who visited the location, commended the troops for maintaining combat effectiveness under limited visibility, noting that ongoing clearance operations across the theatre are increasing pressure on insurgent elements. He referenced recent operations in Darak and Bargaram under Sector 1 in Cameroon, where additional fighters, including foreign mercenaries, were neutralised.
A similar pattern played out in Malam Fatori, where troops of 68 Battalion under Sector 3 repelled a multi-pronged attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters between 18 and 19 March, preventing what military authorities described as an attempted overrun and possible targeting of civilian populations.
During a post-operation assessment visit, the Force Commander, Major General Saidu Tanko Audu, Force Commander, MNJTF, accompanied by Major General S Tilawan, Commander Sector 3, MNJTF, and Colonel Emmanuel Okon Ikang, Ag Commander 19 Brigade, conveyed commendations from senior defence leadership, including the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff.
Addressing troops at the location, Major General Saidu Tanko Audu emphasised sustained vigilance and operational discipline, warning of potential reprisal attempts following what he described as significant losses inflicted on insurgent forces. He assured continued logistical support and directed commanders to maintain pressure on hostile elements.
The visit also included a review of defensive positions, with adjustments made to trench systems and firing layouts to strengthen the battalion’s defensive posture and improve readiness against future attacks.
Across both locations, the Force Commander extended engagement to civilian communities, calling for vigilance and timely intelligence sharing, while cautioning youths against recruitment or exploitation by insurgent groups.
The combined operations reflect a broader trend across the Lake Chad theatre, where insurgent groups continue to test defensive positions through coordinated attacks, even as MNJTF forces sustain clearance operations aimed at degrading their operational capacity and restricting mobility across border corridors.
🏷️ Tags: MNJTF, Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lake Chad, Malam Fatori, Borno, Counterterrorism, Nigeria Defence
#MNJTF #NigeriaSecurity #CounterTerrorism #LakeChad
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