Combined forces under Operation Hadin Kai have intensified their campaign against insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, killing 24 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a series of coordinated offensives.
The operations, which spanned from July 4 to July 9, 2025, targeted key insurgent enclaves across the region, including the notorious Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains, and other known hideouts.
Among the dead were five logistics suppliers who were neutralized during nighttime ambushes. Troops also recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and various supplies used by the terrorist groups. In addition to weapons, the offensive yielded significant logistics and combat materials such as motorcycles, bicycles, food condiments, military-style uniforms, and footwear.
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Taskforce, described the operations as intelligence-led and highly strategic. According to him, the collaborative effort was executed by the Nigerian Army, the Air Force component, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), ensuring a comprehensive approach to dismantling the terrorists’ strongholds.
Speaking on the operational success, Major General Abubakar emphasized that the offensives were the result of precise intelligence gathered from both human and electronic sources, enabling troops to infiltrate the enclaves with minimal casualties.
“The effectiveness of this operation reflects our ongoing commitment to eradicate terrorist threats and secure all parts of the North-East,” he said.
Captain Reuben Kovangiya, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, provided further details in an official statement. He confirmed that the offensives had dealt a severe blow to the insurgents’ operational capabilities, disrupting their mobility and food supply channels. The capture of motorcycles and other transport equipment is seen as a major blow to the insurgents, who rely heavily on such means for movement across difficult terrains.
The renewed offensive is part of a broader push by the Nigerian military to regain control of territories still vulnerable to insurgent attacks and re-establish government presence in remote communities.
Observers note that continued pressure on insurgent logistics networks, combined with active collaboration with local vigilante and community intelligence networks, is significantly altering the balance of power in the region.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW
TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI NEUTRALIZE 24 BOKO HARAM INSURGENTS AND RECOVER WEAPONS IN OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS BETWEEN 4 – 9 JULY 2025
In continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North East Theatre of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), bolstered by close air support from the Air Component and collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, have carried out successful kinetic operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in theatre between 4 – 9 July 2025, eliminating several terrorists.
In one of the ambushes conducted at Platari on 4 July 2025, the gallant troops, while lying in wait, made contact with JAS/ISWAP terrorists mounted on bicycles moving from the Sambisa Forest axis to the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorists were immediately subdued with heavy fire, leading to the neutralization of 3 terrorists.
Similarly, following intelligence on movements of the insurgents around Komala general area, troops sprang another ambush on the terrorists, neutralizing another fighter. On exploitation of the general area, troops recovered motorcycles and spare parts, knapsack sprayers, pesticides, and terrorists’ food items.
Relatedly, troops conducted a night ambush on the same day at terrorists’ hideouts around the Kawuri general area in Konduga Local Government. During the deliberate operations, the resilient troops came into contact with the insurgents. Consequently, 2 terrorists conveying logistics were immediately eliminated, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other sundry items.
In the same vein, troops on 5 July 2025, intercepted terrorists attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops swiftly engaged the insurgents, killing one terrorists, while others escaped with traces of gunshot wounds. Troops subsequently recovered several rounds of ammunition during the exploitation of the area.
In another development, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves at Leno Kura. Resultantly, the troops came into contact with the insurgents and engaged them with simultaneous gunfire from different directions. Accordingly, 3 terrorists met their Waterloo, while troops continued exploitation of the area.
Furthermore, on 6 July 2025, troops carried out a night ambush at a suspected terrorists’ crossing point along the roads Ngoshe – Gava, Ngoshe – Ashigashiya, as well as Amuda – Gava areas.Troops made contact, and an insurgent was neutralized while others fled.
On 7 July 2025 also, troops sprang another ambush following an intelligence report close to Sabsawa village. During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists’ logistics suppliers and successfully neutralized 2 insurgents. On exploitation of the area, the gallant troops recovered bicycles, sacks of slippers, several torchlights, batteries, detergents, salt, and rubber shoes, amongst other sundry items.
On 8 July 2025, troops in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, under close air support provided by the Air Component of OPHK, conducted clearance operations at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP/JAS enclave. In the course of the operation, the troops eliminated an insurgent and recovered a gun, terrorists’ uniforms, while their life-supporting structures were totally destroyed.
Additionally, troops in a joint operation with hunters and the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted fighting patrol at terrorists’ hideouts at Pambula village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. During the patrol, contact was made with JAS/ISWAP terrorists, who were immediately engaged with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to disperse in disarray. Consequent upon the firefight, the troops neutralized a terrorist, recovering four motorcycles and his weapon. The determined troops continued exploiting the general area to rid it of any terrorists activities.
In another coordinated clearance operations conducted on 8 July 2025 at Bula Marwa, troops neutralized a terrorist fighter, while others fled. Items recovered included a gun and terrorists’ uniforms. Troops also destroyed the insurgents’ camp.
On 9 July 2025, troops in joint operations with Civilian Joint Task Force, also conducted a clearance operation in JAS/ISWAP enclave at Tangalanga and Bula Marwa. After a heavy firefight, 3 insurgents were eliminated. Terrorists’ life supporting structures in the camp, were also destroyed completely. Troops recovered six AK 47 rifles 47 magazines and ninety rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during exploitation of the area.
In furtherance of the offensive operations, troops in conjunction with CJTF conducted ambush at Ngailda, Manjim and Wulle villages, where contact was made with the insurgents. Following the contact, troops successfully eliminated 6 terrorists while others fled in disarray. Items recovered by the troops during exploitation included motorcycles and bicycles.
The neutralisation of 24 insurgents with close air support underscores the determination, collaboration, and concerted efforts by the troops of OPHK, to ensure terrorists are placed on the back foot, thereby creating conducive environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the North East region.
REUBEN KOVANGIYA
Captain
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations
Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI
What you should know
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai recently killed 24 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, including logistics suppliers, in a series of intelligence-driven operations across the North-East.
The offensives mark a significant step in weakening the insurgents’ operational capabilities and regaining control of key territories.
