Troops kill five terrorists, rescue abductees in fierce North East battle

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have neutralised five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, rescued abducted victims and recovered explosives, arms and ammunition during coordinated operations across the North East theatre.

The operations, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY and related missions, also led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, armed robbery suspects and cattle rustlers.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, disclosed that troops supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force carried out offensives in the Valle, Ashigashiya and Gakara general areas where they engaged suspected terrorists in a fierce gun battle.

According to him, troops overpowered the insurgents with superior firepower, killing two terrorists, while several others fled towards the Ngoshe axis.

He added that the operational areas were later cleared without casualties on the side of the troops.

In another encounter along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis, troops intercepted suspected terrorists and neutralised one insurgent during a gun duel.

Recovered items from the scene included a radio set and a mobile phone.

The military also recorded breakthroughs in rescue operations as troops along the Ngoshe–Amuda corridor rescued an eight-year-old boy, Abubakar Mublagha, abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community.

The child was medically examined and reunited with his family.

Similarly, troops conducting operations around Uvaha, a deserted village along the Gwoza–Limankara axis, rescued a 20-year-old abducted Fulani man identified as Dahiru Ahamdu.

The victim disclosed that he escaped from captivity after heavy artillery bombardments by troops struck terrorist camps in the Mandara Mountains, killing two insurgents and causing panic among the terrorists.

He said he was abducted on May 8, 2026 while grazing cattle at Bororo village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State before being taken to a terrorist hideout in the Mandara Mountains.

Following medical evaluation, the victim was reunited with his family through community leaders.

In a separate intelligence-led operation at Buni Gari, troops recovered a cache of explosives abandoned by fleeing terrorists in the Magza general area.

Items recovered included four 40mm Rocket Propelled Grenade bombs, one 81mm mortar bomb and four 60mm mortar bombs.

The explosives were later secured by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.

In another development, troops arrested a suspected collaborator identified as Kuti Muhammad, said to be a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, over alleged links with terrorist elements.

The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation.

Troops also foiled an armed robbery operation in Garin Gwigwi village in Biu Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed and Adamu Aliyu.

Recovered items included mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, charms, jewellery, cash, a dagger, a Quran booklet and a locally made firearm.

A Dane gun earlier reported stolen was also recovered and returned to its owner after proper verification.

The military said investigations were ongoing to track down other fleeing accomplices connected to the robbery syndicate.

Additionally, troops working alongside local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market with six rustled cattle.

The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.

Operation HADIN KAI said troops across all sectors remained vigilant and had sustained aggressive operations aimed at denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of movement across the North East.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism, restoring peace and promoting socio-economic stability in the region.

The Military High Command also commended troops for their professionalism, resilience and operational successes, urging them to sustain the momentum in the interest of national security.