Army Foils High-Tech Terrorist Attack in Borno; Over 80 Insurgents Killed as Troops Destroy Armed Drones and Reclaim Mallam Fatori

The Nigerian Army has proven its “battlefield dominance” once again by crushing a sophisticated attempt by ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters to overrun a strategic base in Borno State. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, troops stationed in Mallam Fatori faced a coordinated night assault that included the use of modern armed drones.

The attackers advanced from the Duguri area around 12:50 AM, hoping the darkness and their drones would give them the upper hand. However, the soldiers of the 68 Battalion spotted the movement and “flipped the script.” With precision airstrikes from the Nigerian Air Force and allied forces from Niger Republic, the military neutralized at least 80 fighters. Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Sani Uba confirmed that the integration of air support and ground maneuvers was the “secret weapon” that prevented a territorial breach.

This victory comes during a busy week for the military. While the battle raged in Borno, other units were busy in the North-West. In Katsina, 45 bandits were eliminated during a fierce gunfight, and in Zamfara, over 60 kidnapped victims were finally reunited with their families after a successful rescue operation.

Despite these major wins, security experts warn that the terrorists’ new use of drones shows they are getting more desperate and technical. The Army has promised to upgrade its “anti-drone” equipment to make sure the Nigerian airspace remains closed to criminals. For now, normalcy has returned to Mallam Fatori, and the “Solution” for regional peace continues to gain momentum.