Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intensified coordinated offensives across the North-East.
The troops recorded fresh rescues, arrests, and battlefield successes in ongoing operations targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP networks in Borno and Yobe states.
The operations, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY, targeted suspected terrorist supply routes, crossing points, and support networks in parts of Borno and Yobe states, according to the Nigerian Army.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to him, one of the major operations occurred at Mainé checkpoint in Yobe State, where troops arrested a suspected Boko Haram collaborator identified as Ibrahim Alhaji Julo, 30.
According to the statement, the suspect was intercepted in “a red Golf vehicle with registration number KTG-397AA (Bauchi State)” during an operation driven by “credible intelligence.”
The Army said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect was allegedly “using his vehicle to convey terrorist elements and facilitating illegal tax collection within communities.”
Recovered from him were “a mobile phone and some amount of money,” while the suspect and exhibits remain in custody for further investigation.
In another coordinated operation, troops of Sector 1 reportedly launched an offensive at Bazamri village in Konduga Local Government Area, where they engaged insurgents during what the military described as aggressive clearance operations.
The statement disclosed that troops recorded “the neutralisation of two Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists” during the raid.
Recovered items included “logistics supplies such as detergent, salt, and a carton of spaghetti,” believed to have been procured for insurgent fighters.
The Army added that “no own troops’ casualties were recorded,” while troops had “repositioned to sustain offensive pressure.”
He stated also that the troops also recorded another breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to rescue civilians abducted during attacks on communities in Borno State.
According to the military, soldiers acting on “credible intelligence” carried out an operation at a suspected terrorist crossing point along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14, 2026.
During the operation, troops “successfully intercepted and rescued six abducted women and children” from Ngoshe community who had been held captive by Boko Haram/ISWAP elements.
The rescued victims were identified as Amina Salihu, 52; Aishatu Musa, 50; twin sisters Hassana and Hussaina Abubakar, both aged nine; Adamu Zakariyya, 12; and Usman Zakariyya, 10.
The statement said the victims were received by the Commander, 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, and were “provided with medical attention at the Brigade Medical Reception Station” before being reunited with their families through the community leader, Mallam Bulama Kunda, and the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, Mallam Auwalu Hudu.
It added that the commander assured residents that troops would “sustain ongoing rescue operations until all abducted persons are safely reunited with their families.”
The Army further stated that “a total of Sixty women and children have been rescued” since the attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
