By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have launched a decisive counter-offensive against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State, neutralising 16 fighters, disrupting their logistics network and rescuing 11 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations.
The development was disclosed in an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who said the latest operations further demonstrated the troops’ “exceptional resolve and operational superiority” in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign across the North East.
According to the statement, the operations began on 5 February 2026 at a few minutes to midnight when ISWAP terrorists launched a failed attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Auno. Troops of Sector 1 swiftly repelled the assault with what was described as disciplined firepower and tactical precision, forcing the insurgents to retreat.
Capitalising on the failed attack, OPHK troops, in synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force, launched a bold follow-on counter-offensive on 9 February 2026 along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops aggressively pursued the retreating terrorists up to the Gidan Kaji axis, where 16 insurgents were neutralised, while several others fled in disarray with severe injuries.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated that the operation dealt a significant blow to the terrorists’ operational capacity, as troops recovered over 20 bicycles, a large cache of logistics items, weapons and other supplies considered critical to insurgent activities.
“In further blow to terrorist logistics nodes, troops arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers conveying large quantity of drugs meant for terrorist around Bukarti axis same day,” he added.
The statement further revealed that on the same day at about 1720 hours, troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Buratai–Kamuya road. Following the detection of suspicious terrorist activities, troops swiftly pursued the criminals, compelling them to abandon their victims and flee into nearby bushes.
Two victims, Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued and safely reunited with their families in Buratai.
Similarly, in response to a distress call along the Chibok–Damboa axis on 9 February 2026, troops successfully rescued nine additional kidnapped victims, bringing the total number of rescued persons in the coordinated operations to 11.
The military authorities emphasised that the sustained offensives underscore OPHK’s continued commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, degrading their capabilities and supporting humanitarian efforts through the protection of civilians.
The latest successes, according to the statement, reaffirm the Joint Task Force’s unwavering determination to restore lasting peace and security across the North East region.
