Troops of the Joint Task Force North East,
Operation HADIN KAI, have recorded a string of decisive battlefield victories
across Borno and Adamawa States between 30 March and 2 April 2026, neutralising
terrorists, dismantling logistics networks, and rescuing dozens of civilians including victims snatched from 17 vehicles on a busy Borno highway in one of
the most active operational surges recorded in the theatre.
The operations, conducted under the
strategic direction of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun
Oluyede, reflect an intensified campaign to permanently degrade the operational
capacity of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province,
and the Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād across the Lake Chad
Basin and its surrounding communities.
Highway Rescue — Buratai-Kamuya Road
In one of the most dramatic interventions
of the reporting period, troops deployed at Dutsen Kura, Biu Local Government
Area, acting on live CCTV surveillance, observed terrorists abducting civilians
from 17 vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road on 30 March 2026. Reacting with
speed and overwhelming force, troops immediately mobilised a quick reaction
squad, pursued the terrorists, and compelled them to abandon all their victims,
who were recovered safely and were reunited with their families.
"Acting
on live surveillance footage, our troops pursued and neutralised the threat
before the terrorists could vanish into the bush with innocent civilians. This
is what vigilance and rapid response look like in practice."
Ambush at Gwoza and Gadangari
On 30 March 2026, troops conducted a
well-coordinated ambush at a terrorist crossing point in Gwoza Local Government
Area of Borno State, intercepting a group of insurgents mounted on motorcycles.
The terrorists abandoned one motorcycle, a Tavor rifle magazine, and 19 rounds
of ammunition in their hasty retreat. A subsequent fighting patrol to the
Pridang general area in Gwoza LGA resulted in the neutralisation of one
insurgent during a contact engagement.
The tempo escalated on 1 April 2026, when
troops operating in conjunction with Hybrid Forces launched a precision ambush
at a suspected terrorist crossing point around the Gadangari axis, Bama Local
Government Area of Borno State. Eight terrorists were neutralised in the
encounter. Critically, the operation was conducted with zero casualties on the
troops' side, a testament to superior tactics and intelligence.
High-Value Arrests and Counter-Logistics Successes
In a series of intelligence-driven arrests,
troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Azir apprehended two teenage
boys who had escaped from a terrorist camp at Dusula following deteriorating
conditions. Both individuals are being profiled and will be subjected to
deradicalisation and rehabilitation processes in line with established
procedures.
A cordon-and-search operation at Angwan
Rami, Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State yielded the arrest of
three suspected terrorists, including one Alhaji Saleh, who confessed to
participating in an attack on Ngoshe, operating as a double agent, and plotting
an assault on Mubi Barracks to acquire weapons. His arrest has been described
by intelligence officers as a significant blow to internal infiltration
networks targeting military installations.
Separately, troops acting on actionable
intelligence arrested a notorious kidnapper and terrorist leader at Mansur
Village, Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The suspect is linked
to recent attacks on military locations in Alkaleri Local Government Area of
Bauchi State. In a related operation, collaboration with the Department of
State Services led to the arrest of a suspected arms courier at Malmo
Checkpoint, near Headquarters SOC Base and Airport in Bauchi, in possession of
700 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and fake identity documents.
"The
arrest of this arms courier with 700 rounds of live ammunition confirms the
sophisticated resupply networks these groups rely upon. Disrupting the supply
chain is as important as neutralising the combatant."
Renewed Call for Civilian Support
The Director of Defence Media Operations,
Major General Michael Onoja, urged communities across the North East to
continue providing timely and credible intelligence to the military. 'Every tip
from a vigilant Nigerian has the potential to save lives. Our operations are
strengthened immeasurably when citizens partner with us,' he stated.
Operation HADIN KAI remains on the
offensive, with further operations planned to clear remaining terrorist
enclaves, interdict supply routes, and restore normalcy to communities long
subjected to the terror of Boko Haram and ISWAP.