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| Image of General OO Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff |
The
Nigerian military's Operation HADIN KAI has intensified its campaign against
Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna
Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) factions in the North-East, achieving significant
gains in neutralizing threats and safeguarding civilian lives.
Speaking
at the monthly media briefing on Friday, February 27, 2026, the Director of
Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, detailed the operation's
successes, underscoring the Defence Headquarters' unwavering mandate to protect
the lives and property of all Nigerians. "Our kinetic operations are not
just about confronting terrorists; they are about restoring normalcy, enabling
families to return home safely, and revitalizing communities ravaged by
insecurity," Major General Onoja stated.
Troops,
in joint efforts with hybrid forces, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local
hunters, curtailed terrorist mobility and logistics through ground operations
bolstered by aerial reconnaissance targeting remote and border strongholds.
This month's results include the neutralization of scores of terrorists, the
arrest of 85 suspects, the surrender of 46 insurgents along with their
families, and the rescue of 104 kidnapped victims.
Significant
recoveries of arms, ammunition, and equipment have eroded terrorist networks,
facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and boosting local economies.
A standout clash unfolded in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on 20 February 2026, where troops repelled a terrorist assault involving gun trucks,
motorcycles, and five drones. The fierce firefight led to multiple enemy
neutralizations and the seizure of weapons, including a stretcher, affirming
the military's offensive dominance.
On
February 23, 2026, troops intercepted a Toyota pick-up truck loaded with
vehicle spares and fabrics bound for Boko Haram, as well as a truck carrying
460 bags of fertilizers in Bade LGA of Yobe State, items
often exploited to sustain insurgent operations. In a parallel crackdown, 42
illegal miners were apprehended in Gulani LGA of Yobe State, disrupting revenue
streams that fund terrorism.
Operations
intensified across Abadam, Bama, and Damboa LGAs in Borno State, and Damaturu
and Geidam LGAs in Yobe State. A notable firefight near Sabsawa village in Borno
on February 21, 2026, saw troops unleash overwhelming firepower, neutralizing
several insurgents and scattering the rest.
Follow-on
exploitation, precision strikes, and night ambushes along infiltration routes including
from the Cameroon border have strangled terrorist logistics and launch pads.
Coordinated air-land operations in Limankara and Kukawa areas of Borno State,
and Lamusheri in Yobe State, neutralized dozens of ISWAP fighters, repelled
drone-assisted attacks, and obliterated key camps and supply hubs.
Major
General Onoja emphasized that these efforts deny safe havens to Boko Haram,
ISWAP, and JAS, while community-sourced intelligence amplifies their impact.
"By dismantling these networks, we are paving the way for voluntary
returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs), post-conflict reconstruction,
and the secure enjoyment of properties that terrorists once threatened,"
he affirmed.
In line
with the DHQ's core mandate, Operation HADIN KAI prioritizes the security of
soft targets and vulnerable populations, ensuring that every operation
minimizes collateral risks while maximizing the protection of lives. "The
return of IDPs and the revival of local markets are direct testimonies to our
progress. Nigerians can rest assured that we will not relent until peace is
fully restored," the Director concluded.