By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully foiled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists on a military location in the Kirawa axis of Sector 1 Area of Responsibility, inflicting heavy casualties on the assailants.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the incident occurred in the early hours of 22 May 2026 when a number of terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions held by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and other associated forces along the Nigeria–Cameroon border axis.
The statement noted that the attack was swiftly detected and met with superior firepower from alert troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who held their ground and successfully repelled the assault.
The terrorists were subsequently forced to abort their mission and withdraw in disarray towards the Cameroon axis, sustaining significant casualties during the encounter.
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance assets, alongside air support platforms of Operation HADIN KAI and partner forces, were deployed in coordinated support throughout the operation.
Following the engagement, troops confirmed the neutralisation of 12 terrorists, while several others were observed retreating with gunshot wounds, with blood trails reportedly tracked along their withdrawal routes.
Items recovered from the scene include AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, ammunition, and a PKT machine gun, further degrading the terrorists’ operational capabilities in the area.
Troops, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, have continued to maintain their positions with heightened vigilance as exploitation operations are ongoing to track fleeing elements and recover additional materiel.
The Joint Task Force reassured the public of its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements until they are completely neutralised across the theatre of operations.
The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry, professionalism, and swift response, urging them to sustain the operational momentum in the collective interest of national security.
