By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled coordinated terrorist attacks across parts of Adamawa and Borno States, repelling the assailants and inflicting heavy losses during follow-up operations that targeted their withdrawal routes.
The development was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, who said the successful actions underscored the resilience, professionalism and superior combat capability of troops deployed under the operation.
According to the statement, in the early hours of January 16, 2026, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, under Sector 4 of Operation HADIN KAI. Alert troops immediately engaged the attackers and were reinforced by elements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force.
The coordinated response forced the terrorists to abandon the attack and withdraw. No casualty was recorded among own troops, while the general area was subsequently cleared and scanned for improvised explosive devices and possible booby traps to ensure the safety of personnel and civilians.
In a related incident on the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional assault on the Forward Operating Base at Azir in Borno State. The attackers attempted to breach sections of the defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from gallant troops, supported by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.
The engagement lasted for over an hour, after which the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to retreat. During the attack, rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists affected troop-carrying vehicles and the CCTV control room, which were partially gutted by fire. Despite the damage, troops maintained firm control of the base throughout the encounter.
Following the firefight, troops recovered several items from the terrorists, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun ammunition and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The statement further revealed that the operation did not end at the forward operating base. Persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms tracked the fleeing terrorists, enabling follow-up operations along identified withdrawal routes. Precision strikes by Nigerian Air Force platforms under Operation HADIN KAI led to the neutralisation of additional scores of the terrorists, significantly degrading their fighting capacity and morale. Exploitation of the area confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties.
Lieutenant Atookolo noted that the sustained actions reflect the unwavering commitment of troops to securing lives and property across the North East. He stressed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action, dismantling their networks and safeguarding the integrity of the region.
Operations, he added, will continue relentlessly until all threats to peace and security in the North East are eliminated.
