Troops Repel ISWAP Attack, Kill 12 Terrorists on Nigeria-Cameroon Border

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai has repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, killing 12 insurgents during a fierce gun battle in Kirawa, a border community in Borno State near Cameroon.

The operation, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY and the ongoing SIEGE OPERATIONS, took place in the early hours of May 22, 2026, when suspected terrorists launched an assault on a military base in the area.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Sunday, the media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, said troops swiftly detected the attempted infiltration and responded with overwhelming firepower.

According to him, the insurgents attempted to breach positions occupied by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and allied forces along the Nigeria-Cameroon border corridor.

“The attack was swiftly detected and met with overwhelming firepower from alert troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who stood their ground and successfully contained the assault,” Uba stated.

He explained that the terrorists were forced to abandon the operation and retreat toward the Cameroon axis after suffering heavy casualties during the confrontation.

Uba disclosed that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, alongside air support from the air component of Operation Hadin Kai and partner forces, played a major role in the success of the operation.

Following the encounter, troops confirmed the killing of 12 terrorists, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, leaving behind visible blood trails along their withdrawal routes.

Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the fleeing insurgents, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, ammunition belts and a PKT machine gun.

Military authorities said the recovery of the weapons further weakened the operational capability of the terrorist group in the border area.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working closely with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, have continued exploitation and clearance operations in the area to track fleeing terrorists and recover additional equipment.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining pressure on insurgent groups throughout the Northeast until they completely dismantled terrorist activities.

The military high command also commended the troops for what it described as gallantry, professionalism and swift response to the attack, urging them to maintain the momentum in ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Troops Kill Six Terrorists, Rescue Abductees, Recover Arms in Borno, Yobe Operations

Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force, under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intensified offensive operations against insurgents in Borno and Yobe states, killing six terrorists, rescuing two abducted victims, and recovering a cache of arms and explosives during coordinated military raids.

The operations, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY, also led to the arrest of suspected collaborators and armed robbery suspects across different locations within the theatre of operation.

The media information officer of OPHK, Lt Col Sani Uba, disclosed the development on Saturday in Maiduguri, describing the recent operations as part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the Northeast.

According to him, troops achieved major breakthroughs on May 21, 2026, when they recovered a cache of arms and explosive devices abandoned by fleeing insurgents in the deserted Mazga community along the Buni/Yadi-Biu road in Yobe State.

“The ground troops recorded significant operational successes across the theatre of OPHK, including the neutralisation of six terrorists, the rescue of abducted persons, and the recovery of a cache of arms at Mazga Settlement in Yobe State,” Uba stated.

During separate operations, troops arrested several suspected Boko Haram collaborators and discovered and secured explosive ordnance planted along strategic routes.

Uba further explained that troops, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), launched coordinated offensives in the Valle, Ashigashiya, and Gakara general areas, where they engaged suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in fierce gun battles.

“During the operations, troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, neutralising two insurgents while others fled towards the Ngoshe axis,” he said.

Troops later cleared the affected areas without any military casualties, he noted.

In another operation along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis, troops intercepted suspected terrorists and neutralised one insurgent during an exchange of gunfire. Items recovered from the encounter included a radio set and a mobile phone believed to belong to the fleeing fighters.

The military also recorded success in rescue operations. Troops operating along the Ngoshe–Amuda corridor rescued an eight-year-old boy, Abubakar Mublagha, who was abducted during the March 3, 2026, attack on the Ngoshe community.

Military authorities reported that they medically examined the child and reunited him with his family after the rescue.

Similarly, troops deployed around Uvaha village along the Gwoza–Limankara axis rescued a 20-year-old Fulani man identified as Dahiru Ahamdu.

According to the military, the victim escaped from his captors after intense artillery bombardments targeted terrorist camps within the Mandara Mountains, killing two insurgents and forcing others to flee.

The rescued victim reportedly told troops that he was abducted on May 8, 2026, while grazing cattle at Bororo village in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State before being taken to a terrorist hideout.

He has since been reunited with his family after undergoing a medical examination.

In a separate intelligence-led operation at Buni Gari, troops recovered several explosive devices abandoned by fleeing terrorists in the Magza area. The recovered items included four 40mm RPG bombs, one 81mm mortar bomb, and four 60mm mortar bombs.

Explosive ordnance disposal teams later secured the explosives.

Meanwhile, troops arrested a suspected collaborator identified as Kuti Muhammad, said to be a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, over alleged links with terrorist groups.

In another security operation at Garin Gwigwi village in the Biu Local Government Area, troops responded to a reported armed robbery incident and arrested three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed, and Adamu Aliyu.

Recovered items from the suspects included mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, charms, jewellery, cash, a dagger, a Quranic booklet, and a locally manufactured firearm.

The military also confirmed the recovery of a Dane gun earlier reported stolen, which was returned to its owner after proper verification, while investigations continue to track down other fleeing suspects.

Troops Rescue Six Abductees, Arrest Terror Suspects in Borno and Yobe Operations

By Tada jutha, Maidguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside Operation Desert Sanity, have rescued six women and children abducted by terrorists in Borno State while also arresting several suspected collaborators linked to insurgent groups operating in the region.

The successful operation, carried out along the Amuda Ngoshe corridor in Gwoza Local Government Area, also led to the capture of five suspected terrorist associates believed to have been active around the Mandara Mountains for more than a decade.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Maiduguri, noting that troops have continued to record major gains in ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North East.

According to him, the rescue mission followed credible intelligence gathered after an air interdiction around the Mandara Mountains. Troops later stormed a suspected terrorist crossing route near Amuda on May 12, 2026, where the victims were successfully freed.

The rescued victims were identified as Aisha Musa, 18; Aisha Mohammed, 17; Fatima Yahaya, 20; Saudatu Musa, 4; Garba Mohammed, 5; and Mohammed Yahaya, a minor.

Military authorities said the victims were among residents of Ngoshe community abducted during a terrorist raid allegedly carried out by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on March 3, 2026.

Following their rescue, the victims received medical attention at a military facility before they were reunited with their families through the community leader of Ngoshe, Mallam Adamu Gunda.

In another operation conducted the same day, troops stationed at Tango Seven in Konduga Local Government Area arrested a 40-year-old woman, Hauwa Bulama, suspected of aiding terrorist activities.

Items recovered from the suspect included detergent, washing soap, torchlight, and seasoning cubes.

Military sources revealed that preliminary findings suggested the suspect was travelling to Gezuwa to meet four of her children believed to be members of a terrorist group.

The suspect has since been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, troops under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by Military Intelligence personnel, also arrested two more suspects identified as Bakura, 18, and Adiza, 17, in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The arrests were linked to an earlier operation involving the interception of a suspected ammunition courier, Ba’akaka Abubakar, also known as Modogol, who was allegedly planning to deliver ammunition to terrorists hiding in Sambisa Forest.

Investigators disclosed that Adiza was allegedly assigned to receive ammunition from the earlier suspect for onwards delivery to a terrorist commander.

Security operatives said the suspects remain in custody while efforts continue to track down the commander and recover the ammunition meant for the insurgents.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its determination to sustain aggressive operations against terrorist networks, rescue abducted civilians, and restore peace across the northeast.

Military authorities also praised the troops for their professionalism, courage, and persistence in the fight against insurgency.