Troops gun down 24 Boko Haram, ISWAP fighters in Borno, Adamawa

By Hamza Suleiman

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed 24 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in a series of well-coordinated clearance and ambush operations across Borno and parts of Adamawa State.

The operations, which spanned five days from July 4 to 9, 2025, were carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters as part of renewed efforts to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore peace in the North-East.

Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

According to him, the operations commenced on July 4 when troops ambushed a group of insurgents on bicycles at Platari, along the Sambisa–Timbuktu Triangle route, killing three. On the same day, another ambush around the Komala area led to the death of a terrorist and the recovery of motorcycles, food supplies, pesticides, and spare parts.

Later that night, troops intercepted and gunned down two insurgents transporting logistics in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area, with additional items such as salt, detergents, and food condiments seized.

On July 5, troops foiled an attempted infiltration of the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Konduga, killing one insurgent and recovering several rounds of ammunition. A subsequent engagement at Leno Kura during a fighting patrol saw three more terrorists neutralised.

The following day, July 6, troops conducted night ambushes at suspected crossing points between Ngoshe–Gava, Ngoshe–Ashigashiya, and Amuda–Gava, resulting in the death of another insurgent.

On July 7, an ambush near Sabsawa village led to the elimination of two insurgents involved in logistics supply, with troops recovering bicycles, torches, slippers, and batteries.

Operations intensified on July 8 with a major clearance mission at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah stronghold, where troops, supported by CJTF and airstrikes, killed a terrorist and destroyed enemy structures.

That same day, joint forces raided Pambula village in Madagali LGA of Adamawa, killing one insurgent and recovering four motorcycles and a dane gun.

Troops returned to Bula Marwa the next day, eliminating another terrorist and further dismantling terrorist camps. Later on July 9, joint forces cleared enemy enclaves in Tangalanga and Bula Marwa, killing three more insurgents and recovering six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

Additional ambush operations in Ngailda, Manjim, and Wulle villages resulted in the deaths of six more terrorists, bringing the total number of insurgents neutralised to 24.

Captain Kovangiya hailed the success of the operations as a testament to the resilience, coordination, and tactical synergy between troops, air components, and local support forces.

“The neutralisation of 24 terrorists underscores the determination and concerted efforts of Operation Hadin Kai to degrade insurgent capabilities and create a secure environment for socio-economic recovery in the North-East,” he stated.