The military has sustained its air offensive against terrorist networks in Borno State, with air platforms of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, conducting multiple intelligence-led precision strikes that neutralised scores of suspected terrorists.
The strikes were carried out between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, 2026, following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that detected movements and concentrations of suspected terrorists across different locations in the state.
According to an official statement signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, the operations successfully degraded terrorist concentrations and disrupted attempts by the groups to assemble, regroup and operate freely within the theatre.
One of the major engagements occurred around the Aduwa axis in Monguno Local Government Area, where an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement.
Following the requisite operational procedures and authorisation, the target was engaged with precision strikes. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated that about 16 terrorists were neutralised in two precision strikes.
The air platform continued surveillance of the area and subsequently detected another group of about 10 terrorists attempting to regroup away from the initial target location. A further precision engagement was conducted, with subsequent assessment indicating that the group was also successfully engaged.
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, another Operation HADIN KAI air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location in the area.
After sustained surveillance and the requisite authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike which successfully impacted the identified target, neutralising about 10 additional terrorists.
The Joint Task Force said the latest operations demonstrated the effectiveness of its integrated ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they could develop into threats against troops and vulnerable communities.
It said the sustained kinetic pressure was expected to further weaken terrorist freedom of action, disrupt their command and control and place additional pressure on their logistics and fighting formations.
The military also said its air operations were being complemented by non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination and efforts to encourage terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and surrender.
According to the statement, the increasing number of surrenders recorded in recent weeks reflects the growing pressure on terrorist networks and reinforces the message that there remains a credible pathway away from terrorism.
The Joint Task Force urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security forces, stressing that community cooperation remained essential to early threat detection and the protection of lives and property.
It assured that Operation HADIN KAI would continue coordinated operations against terrorist networks while supporting efforts to restore peace, security and normal socio-economic activities across the North-East.
