Troops Neutralise 16 ISWAP Fighters, Recover Logistics in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have neutralised 16 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and recovered a cache of logistics during a decisive counter-offensive in Borno State.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the terrorists had attempted a failed attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Auno on February 5, 2026, shortly before midnight. Troops of Sector 1, however, repelled the assault with what the military described as “disciplined firepower and tactical precision.”
Following the failed incursion, troops launched a follow-on counter-offensive on February 9 along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The statement said the troops engaged the retreating terrorists up to the Gidan Kaji axis, neutralising 16 insurgents, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
“Capitalising on the success recorded at FOB Auno, troops, in synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted a bold counter-offensive operation along the Komala axis,” Lt.-Col. Uba stated. “During the engagement, 16 terrorists were neutralised, while scores escaped in disarray with severe injuries.”
The operation also led to the recovery of more than 20 bicycles believed to have been used for mobility by the insurgents, alongside a significant cache of logistics items, weapons, and supplies considered critical to sustaining terrorist operations.
In a related development, troops arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers along the Bukarti axis on the same day. The suspects were reportedly conveying a large quantity of drugs intended for terrorist elements operating in the area.
Military authorities said the arrests dealt a further blow to the group’s logistics chain, which has increasingly relied on informal supply routes and civilian collaborators to sustain operations.
Beyond combat engagements, troops also thwarted a kidnap attempt along the Buratai-Kamuya road on February 9.
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According to the statement, troops detected suspicious terrorist activity along the route and swiftly pursued the assailants, compelling them to abandon their captives and retreat into nearby bushes.
Two victims, identified as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued unhurt and safely reunited with their families in Buratai.
Similarly, troops responded to a distress call along the Chibok-Damboa axis on the same day and successfully rescued nine kidnapped victims.
The military said the string of operations underscored OPHK’s sustained operational momentum and its dual mandate of degrading terrorist capabilities while protecting civilian populations.
“These actions reaffirm Operation HADIN KAI’s unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist networks across the North East and supporting humanitarian efforts aimed at safeguarding innocent lives,” the statement added.
The North-East theatre has witnessed intensified military operations in recent months, with troops targeting terrorist enclaves, supply routes, and logistics nodes in a bid to restrict the operational freedom of ISWAP and Boko Haram factions.
Security analysts note that degrading insurgent logistics remains central to weakening their capacity to launch coordinated attacks, particularly in remote communities where bicycles, motorcycles, and informal supply couriers serve as key enablers.
The military has repeatedly maintained that sustained offensive operations, combined with community collaboration through groups such as the CJTF, are critical to consolidating gains and preventing the resurgence of terrorist elements.
While acknowledging that remnants of insurgent cells continue to pose threats through sporadic attacks and abductions, authorities insist that the ongoing operations reflect improved intelligence coordination and rapid response capabilities within the theatre.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba assured residents of continued military presence and vigilance, urging communities to provide timely information to security agencies to enhance operational effectiveness.
The latest counter-offensive in Konduga and surrounding axes signals the military’s intent to maintain pressure on ISWAP strongholds and disrupt any attempt to regroup following recent setbacks.
Operation HADIN KAI remains the flagship joint military campaign against insurgency in the North-East, integrating land, air, and civilian support elements to stabilise affected communities and restore normalcy across Borno and neighbouring states.
By PRNigeria
