Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 16 terrorists and rescued 11 kidnapped victims during a series of coordinated operations across Borno State, in what authorities describe as a significant blow to insurgent networks in the North East.
The operations were carried out in February by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), under the Joint Task Force (North East), according to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East).
According to the statement, the troops first repelled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on February 5, 2026, at approximately midnight.
The terrorists had targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Auno, but troops of Sector 1 successfully thwarted the assault with what the military described as disciplined firepower and tactical precision.
Building on that success, troops — in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) — launched a follow-up offensive on February 9 along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area.
During the pursuit, soldiers engaged fleeing insurgents up to the Gidan Kaji axis, neutralising 16 terrorists and forcing several others to escape with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered more than 20 bicycles, a significant cache of weapons, and various logistics supplies believed to be critical to terrorist operations.
In a related development, security forces arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers along the Bukarti axis on the same day. The suspects were reportedly transporting a large quantity of drugs intended for insurgent fighters.
Troops also foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Buratai–Kamuya road. After detecting suspicious activity, soldiers pursued the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their captives and flee into nearby bushes. Two victims — Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu — were rescued and safely reunited with their families in Buratai.
In a separate response to a distress call along the Chibok–Damboa axis on February 9, troops successfully rescued nine additional kidnapped victims.
The military said the operations underscore Operation Hadin Kai’s sustained commitment to degrading terrorist capabilities, dismantling insurgent logistics networks, and protecting civilians across the North East.
