Six suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside their family members, have surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion, Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday while highlighting the latest operational gains recorded across the theatre.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the group fled from the Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza LGA.
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.
He added that the rescued victims had been evacuated to a secure location, where they were receiving medical care and psychosocial support.
“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.
During the same period, Goni said troops of Operation Hadin Kai deployed at the Forward Operating Base, Logomani, in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, under Sector 1, successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists.
“Although the insurgents briefly breached a section of the base’s defensive perimeter during the intense firefight, the troops rapidly regrouped, mounted a determined counter-offensive and decisively repelled the attackers, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers were damaged during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, the situation at FOB Logomani remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, with reinforcements deployed, exploitation operations ongoing and additional measures being implemented to strengthen the base’s defensive capability.
In another operation, Goni said troops of the 232 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a notorious criminal in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He added that follow-up operations led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“The suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody, while further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops of the 149 Battalion also arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
Recovered items included cash, a Volkswagen Golf car, construction materials, household items and other supplies suspected to have been destined for terrorist elements.
“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, while the recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue,” he added.
As part of ongoing offensive operations, Goni said troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out a clearance operation on known terrorist enclaves around Wulgo.
“During the operation, troops exploited the terrorists’ hasty withdrawal and recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by the fleeing insurgents,” he said.
He noted that the recovery further demonstrated the sustained pressure being mounted on terrorist groups, disrupting their operations and denying them freedom of movement.
In Sector 2, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, in conjunction with hunters, intercepted and arrested a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier from Ngirya village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area with five motorcycle tyres.
“The suspect and the items are in military custody for investigation,” he added.
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.
He also warned individuals supplying food, fuel, construction materials, transportation or any other form of logistics to terrorist groups to desist immediately.
“Anyone found aiding, abetting or collaborating with terrorist elements, directly or indirectly, will be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
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