Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled multiple terrorist attacks and intercepted two truckloads of suspected insurgent logistics in a series of coordinated operations across Borno State.
The operations, conducted between March 28 and 30, 2026, also led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist and 16 logistics suppliers, in what military authorities described as a major blow to insurgent networks in the region.
The Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to him, troops deployed in Damboa Local Government Area successfully thwarted a planned attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters after detecting their movement through surveillance systems.
“Troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce encounter, forcing them to withdraw in disarray, while follow-up exploitation operations confirmed their retreat,” Uba said.
He added that similar attempts to attack farmers and communities in Gwoza and Askira Uba Local Government Areas were repelled, with the terrorists fleeing towards the Mandara Mountains and adjoining locations.
“Troops also successfully repelled attempted attacks on farmers and communities, forcing the insurgents to retreat towards the Mandara Mountains and surrounding areas,” he stated.
In a related development, troops uncovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along the Goniri–Ngamdu axis.
Uba noted that the device was intended to target both troops and commuters, adding that materials recovered at the scene revealed deliberate efforts by terrorists to create ambush points.
“Recovered items, including rail tracks used to canalise vehicles into a killing zone, highlight ongoing terrorist attempts to disrupt movement along critical routes,” he said.
The statement further revealed a major breakthrough in dismantling terrorist logistics networks, with troops intercepting large consignments of supplies believed to be destined for insurgents.
“At Molai, two suspected Boko Haram collaborators were arrested while loitering within a defensive area under suspicious circumstances,” Uba said.
He disclosed that along the Maiduguri–Mafa road, troops intercepted vehicles conveying large quantities of suspected terrorist logistics concealed in sacks.
“The consignments, equivalent to two truckloads, included cartons of medical drugs, motorcycle tubes and tyres, mosquito nets, rolls of mats, air filter cylinders, and detergents,” he added.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that the items were being transported without clearance to Kusuri, a border community near Chad.
“The vehicles, drivers, and recovered items have been handed over for further investigation,” he stated.
In another operation at Muna Garage, troops, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives, arrested a 26-year-old suspect, Mohammed Adamu, allegedly involved in supplying logistics to terrorists.
“Items recovered from the suspect include 25 litres of engine oil concealed in sacks, N624,900 cash, a mobile phone, power bank, national identity card, and ATM cards,” Uba said.
“Preliminary findings indicate he had been supplying logistics, including motorcycle parts, to terrorists over an extended period,” he added.
Similarly, troops operating in Gubio, alongside intelligence operatives and CJTF, arrested 13 suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, while two additional suspects apprehended in the area reportedly confessed to long-term involvement in supporting terrorist activities.
In a separate operation, troops arrested a suspected member of the JAS/ISWAP terrorist group, identified as Abubakar Ali, also known as “Saina,” at the Kilo Papa checkpoint.
“Further interrogation revealed that the suspect was on a suspected reconnaissance mission. He has been handed over to appropriate authorities for detailed investigation,” Uba disclosed.
Troops also apprehended a suspected kidnapper in Azir area of Damboa Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, clearance and cordon-and-search operations conducted in Wulgo Junction, Gamboru Motor Park, and surrounding areas led to the recovery of 450 wraps of suspected marijuana and other illicit substances.
“Suspected drug peddlers fled on sighting troops,” he noted.
Commending the troops, the military high command urged sustained momentum in ongoing operations.
“The Military High Command commends the troops for their resilience, vigilance, and professional conduct,” Uba said.
“They are urged to sustain the operational tempo to clear and deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre of operations, in the interest of security and economic stability in the North-East,” he added.
