Troops eliminate 17 terrorists, defuse 14 bombs in major Northeast offensive

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have recorded major battlefield successes, killing 17 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and safely defusing 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a sweeping series of operations across Borno and parts of Adamawa State.

The coordinated onslaught, carried out between July 23 and August 2, 2025, targeted insurgent hideouts in Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Magumeri, and Biu local government areas of Borno State, as well as Michika in Adamawa State.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Theatre Command, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, issued on behalf of the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

“The operations led to the neutralization of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, and the discovery and safe detonation of IEDs planted to inflict casualties on civilians and troops,” the statement read.

The offensive was reinforced by precision airstrikes from the Air Component of OPHK and the ground support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), combining to execute ambushes, patrols, clearance missions, and logistical disruption of terrorist movements.

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Among the items recovered were several AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, AK-47 magazines, a cache of 7.62mm ammunition, over 2,300 litres of diesel and 1,000 litres of petrol, as well as two generators, a tricycle, bags of rice, solar panels, and multiple motorcycles.

In addition to combat gains, the military facilitated the safe return of over 987 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes in Mandaragrau, Biu LGA, as part of ongoing resettlement efforts led by the Borno State Government.

The troops also engaged in joint cross-border operations with Nigerien forces in the Diffa–Duji–Damasak corridor, aimed at strengthening regional counterterrorism collaboration.

“The sustained offensive operations underscore our commitment to restoring peace and enabling socio-economic activities to resume in the North East,” said Captain Kovangiya.

He reaffirmed the military’s resolve to maintain pressure on insurgent groups, in line with directives from the high command, declaring that terrorists would no longer enjoy freedom of movement in the region.

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