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