Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized 16 ISWAP terrorists and rescued 11 kidnapped victims following a series of successful operations across Borno State between February 5 and February 9, 2026.
The military action began late on the night of February 5, when ISWAP militants attempted to breach the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Auno. According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK, troops of Sector 1 repelled the assault before launching a coordinated counter-offensive alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Decisive Strike in Konduga
During the pursuit along the Komala and Gidan Kaji axes in Konduga Local Government Area, troops engaged the retreating insurgents, killing 16 and forcing several others to flee with gunshot wounds.
The operation resulted in the recovery of:
- Over 20 bicycles used for tactical movement.
- A large cache of weapons and ammunition.
- Critical logistics and food supplies.
In a separate but related development the same day, OPHK forces intercepted suspected logistics suppliers near the Bukarti axis. The suspects were found conveying a significant quantity of drugs intended for terrorist camps.
Rescue Operations and Civil Protection
Beyond combat engagements, OPHK forces successfully thwarted two separate kidnapping attempts:
- Buratai-Kamuya Road: Troops disrupted a kidnapping in progress, forcing the assailants to abandon their captives and flee into the bush. Two men, Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued and have since been reunited with their families.
- Chibok-Damboa Axis: Responding to a distress call on February 9, 2026, troops successfully rescued nine additional victims from captivity.
Lt. Col. Uba emphasized that these operations highlight the military’s ongoing commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring the safety of civilians in the North East.