Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have killed 18 terrorists and recovered a cache of weapons in renewed offensive operations across parts of the North-East.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the military, the successes were recorded during coordinated operations under Operation Desert Sanity V, involving troops of Sector 2 in collaboration with the Air Component Command of OPHK across the Timbuktu and Bulabulin forest axes.
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On the Bulabulin Forest axis, troops, working alongside the Sector 2 Stabilisation Force Brigade and the Civilian Joint Task Force, cleared terrorist enclaves in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari, as well as adjoining areas along the Kamadogu Yobe stretch.
“During the operation, supported by assault air platforms from the Air Component Command, the troops made contact at Malam Shiri Village and engaged the terrorists in a well-coordinated and tactical flanking manoeuvre, neutralising 11 terrorists and forcing others to flee with varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.
It added that troops destroyed life-support structures within the enclaves and, during exploitation, recovered nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT anti-aircraft machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials used for improvised explosive devices.
In a separate but related engagement along the Timbuktu axis, particularly the Wajiroko–Sabongari corridor, troops engaged terrorists with close air support.
“The troops, with resilience and tactical discipline, maintained positions and decisively dealt with the terrorists,” the statement noted.
Seven terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while additional blood trails and body parts suggested higher casualties. Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, a large cache of ammunition, bandoliers and communication equipment.
The military highlighted the critical role of the Air Component Command, which provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enabling precise targeting and real-time coordination of ground operations.
“Precision air interdiction strikes were subsequently conducted by Nigerian Air Force aircraft on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, further decimating scores of the insurgents and ensuring the success of a well-synchronised air–land offensive,” it added.
Troops, supported by volunteer forces, are continuing follow-up operations along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to consolidate gains, pursue fleeing terrorists and prevent any regrouping.
