Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Thursday foiled a Boko Haram ambush, neutralising ten terrorists, including two of their senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis of Borno State.
The terrorists were neutralised after an ambush they laid using a Roadside Improvised Explosive Device and heavy gunfire was thwarted by the military’s superior firepower.
Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday evening, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, said troops under Sector 1 responded to the ambush with superior firepower.
Sani said, “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on 22 January 2026.
“The insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire, but impressively, troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists, including 2 senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida,” he noted.
According to him, the follow-up pursuit and exploitation in the post-attack led to the recovery of 3 AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, 5 motorcycles, 2 hand grenades, 2 Baofeng radios, 12 AK-47 magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags, as well as iron bars and IED accessories.
In another development, the statement said, “Troops of Sector 1 OPHK further made contact around the Malkube area, recovering additional AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and communication devices, while 2 terrorists were neutralised without casualties to personnel.
“Earlier in the day, another Battle Group from Sector 1 engaged BHT/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura into Nigeria, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.”
Sani explained that the exploitation of the area yielded insurgent equipment and supplies, including 2 motorcycles, further denying the terrorists freedom of action.
“Troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, and operations will be sustained across the entire North East region,” he assured.
According to him, the military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational tempo.
PUNCH Online on Tuesday reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai clashed with fleeing terrorists in the state, resulting in unspecified casualties on both sides.
The encounter occurred after a clearance operation conducted by the troops across terrorist locations, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said many terrorists were neutralised.
“In the latest phase of operations, troops successfully cleared and dominated key terrorist locations across the triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas,” Sani said.
According to him, during the conduct of the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with high volumes of fire, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.
“On 20 January 2026, while consolidating at a harbour area approximately 6 km north of Chilaria, troops encountered 2 Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED). Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised. The second VBIED, however, breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms.
“In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries,” he said.
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