By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled multiple terrorist attacks, dismantled logistics networks, and arrested several suspected collaborators during coordinated operations conducted between 28 and 30 March 2026 across parts of Borno State.
The operations, which targeted insurgent movements and supply routes, resulted in the interception of two truckloads of suspected terrorist logistics as well as the arrest of a suspected terrorist and 16 logistics suppliers.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops recorded a major operational breakthrough in Damboa after detecting suspicious movements by insurgents believed to be members of the terrorist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
According to the statement, surveillance systems enabled troops to detect the insurgents as they attempted to launch an attack on the town. Troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“Troops deployed at Damboa thwarted a planned Boko Haram/ISWAP attack after detecting terrorists’ movement through surveillance systems. The troops engaged the insurgents, forcing them to withdraw in disarray, while follow-up exploitation operations confirmed their retreat,” Uba stated.
He further disclosed that troops also successfully repelled attempted attacks on farmers and communities in Gwoza and Askira Uba Local Government Areas of Borno State. The insurgents were forced to flee towards the Mandara Mountains and adjoining areas following the encounter with troops.
In continuation of offensive operations, troops uncovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along the Goniri–Ngamdu axis. The explosive device, according to the military, had been strategically planted to target troops and unsuspecting commuters using the route.
Recovered materials at the scene included rail tracks placed along the road to canalise vehicles into a designated killing zone, highlighting continued terrorist attempts to disrupt movement along key transportation corridors in the North East.
The troops also made significant progress in dismantling terrorist logistics supply chains during separate operations in the theatre.
At Molai, two suspected Boko Haram collaborators were arrested after they were observed loitering within a defensive location under suspicious circumstances.
In a separate operation in Maiduguri, troops intercepted vehicles conveying large quantities of suspected logistics supplies for terrorists along the Maiduguri–Mafa road. The consignments, equivalent to two truckloads, were concealed in sacks.
Items recovered from the vehicles included cartons of medical drugs, motorcycle tubes and tyres, mosquito nets, rolls of mats, air filter cylinders and detergents.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the supplies were being transported without proper clearance to Kusuri, a border community close to Chad, believed to be a route used by insurgent elements.
“The consignments were concealed in sacks and included cartons of medical drugs, motorcycle tubes and tyres, mosquito nets, rolls of mats, air filter cylinders and detergents. Preliminary investigation revealed the items were being transported without clearance towards Kusuri, a border community near Chad,” the statement said.
The vehicles, drivers and the recovered items have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
In another operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested a suspected logistics supplier identified as Mohammed Adamu, 26, at Muna Garage.
Items recovered from him included 25 litres of engine oil concealed in sacks, the sum of N624,900, a mobile phone, a power bank, a national identity card and several ATM cards.
Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect had been supplying logistics, including motorcycle parts, to terrorists over an extended period.
Similarly, troops deployed at Gubio, working alongside intelligence operatives and the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted targeted operations that led to the arrest of 13 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators in the area.
Two additional suspects arrested in the same area reportedly confessed to long-term involvement in supplying logistics to terrorists operating within the region.
In a separate development, troops apprehended a suspected member of the JAS/ISWAP terrorist group identified as Abubakar Ali, also known as “Saina,” at the Kilo Papa checkpoint while attempting to transit to Maiduguri.
Further interrogation revealed that the suspect was on a reconnaissance mission. He has since been handed over to appropriate authorities for detailed investigation.
Troops also arrested a suspected kidnapper in the 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 the area upon sighting the troops.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience, vigilance and professional conduct during the operations.
The statement urged them to sustain the current operational momentum in order to clear remaining terrorist elements and deny insurgents freedom of action across the North East theatre, noting that such efforts are critical to the security and economic stability of the region.
