Six fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), accompanied by members of their families, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno state.
The latest development came amid a series of coordinated military operations that also led to the rescue of abductees, the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and the recovery of cash, weapons and logistics believed to be linked to insurgent activities.
Lt. Col. Mohammed Goni, the acting military information officer of the North-East Joint Task Force disclosed the operational successes in a statement issued on Thursday.
The statement read, “The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has continued to sustain its operational momentum across the North-East Theatre, recording another series of significant successes through relentless search-and-rescue operations, intelligence-led missions and coordinated security efforts aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of action.”
In Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Goni said troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, on July 7, 2026, while conducting ongoing search-and-rescue operations, successfully rescued two additional abductees from a terrorist hideout.
“During the operation, troops recovered cash totalling One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N1.2m), suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, as well as food items and other logistics believed to have supported terrorist operations,” he said.
“Additionally, six suspected ISWAP terrorists, alongside their families, surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), Sector 1, OPHK. Preliminary investigations revealed that the families escaped from the Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA.
“Items recovered from the terrorists and their families include the cumulative sum of One Million, Five Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N1,541,500), two Tecno mobile phones and other items,” he stated.
The army spokesman also said troops apprehended a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier at the Molai checkpoint while in possession of large quantities of medical supplies without the required clearance.
“The suspect and the items are in custody for further interrogation,” he said.
The military also announced the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier at the Molai checkpoint while transporting a large quantity of medical supplies without the necessary authorisation.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
In Ngala Local Government Area, troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Logomani successfully repelled a coordinated assault by ISWAP fighters.
Although the attackers briefly breached part of the base’s defensive perimeter, the troops regrouped and launched a counter-offensive that inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents, forcing the surviving fighters to retreat with gunshot wounds.
The military, however, confirmed that one soldier was killed during the encounter, while two gun trucks and some combat equipment were damaged.
According to Goni, the latest operational gains underscore the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations, actionable intelligence and collaboration among security agencies and auxiliary forces in dismantling terrorist logistics networks, disrupting criminal activities and protecting vulnerable communities across the North-East.
“Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI assures the public that ongoing search-and-rescue operations will continue with unwavering resolve until every abducted person is accounted for and safely reunited with their families,” he said.
Elsewhere, troops of the 232 Battalion, acting on intelligence, arrested a suspected criminal in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State and recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
In Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of the 149 Battalion apprehended two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers.
Recovered exhibits included cash, a Volkswagen Golf vehicle, construction materials, household items and other supplies allegedly destined for terrorist camps.
Meanwhile, troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, raided terrorist hideouts around Wulgo and recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by fleeing insurgents.
In Sector 2, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, working with local hunters, also arrested another suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State with five motorcycle tyres believed to be intended for insurgent use.
The military described the latest operations as evidence of improved intelligence gathering and sustained offensive action aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics networks and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
Operation Hadin Kai assured Nigerians that rescue operations for abducted persons would continue until every victim is safely reunited with their families.
The military also warned individuals providing food, fuel, transportation, construction materials or other forms of support to terrorist groups to desist immediately, stressing that anyone found collaborating with insurgents would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
