Nigerian Army Thwarts Major Terrorist Attacks, Neutralizes 29 Fighters in Borno and Yobe
Troops of the Nigerian Army have decisively thwarted terrorist attacks across multiple fronts, neutralizing 29 ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in operations conducted in Borno and Yobe states. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed these developments in a statement issued on February 22, 2026.
Precision Operation in Yobe State
In an early morning operation on February 22, 2026, troops from Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V conducted a precision strike around Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state. This action followed weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, supported by satellite imagery and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance air platforms, which identified the location as a key terrorist attack launch point and logistics hub.
As troops, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, approached the target, they came under fire from insurgents. However, they tactically outflanked the terrorists and cut off their escape routes. During the ensuing firefight, 15 terrorists were neutralized, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
The operation resulted in the destruction of extensive defensive and life-support structures, with five terrorist tricycles and two vehicles used for attacks and logistics set ablaze. A cache of arms, ammunition, bandoliers, and camel pouches was also recovered, significantly degrading the terrorists' operational capabilities.
Coordinated Defense in Borno State
In a related incident, terrorists mounted on gun trucks, motorcycles, and on foot launched a coordinated multi-pronged attack on troops in Kukawa, Borno State, from the Alagarno and Jemmu axes on the night of February 20, 2026. Anticipating such desperate attempts, troops mounted a determined defense, engaging the attackers in an intense firefight that extended into the early hours of February 21, 2026.
Overpowered by superior fire and coordinated resistance from ground troops, supported by air support from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, the terrorists withdrew, dragging away casualties. Air platforms conducted a series of precision strikes, destroying one terrorist gun truck and neutralizing four fighters inside it.
Persistent aerial surveillance tracked fleeing terrorists on five motorcycles to a convergence point, where another precision strike destroyed the motorcycles and neutralized an additional 10 fighters. Following these strikes, troops conducted exploitation and recovered:
- Thirteen AK-47 rifles
- Sixteen loaded AK-47 magazines
- Three handheld radios used for communication
- Terrorist stretchers used to convey casualties
- Evidence of shallow graves and blood trails left by the terrorists
Casualties and Operational Impact
Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price during the engagements, and some combat enablers were destroyed by rocket fire. Wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and are reported to be in stable condition.
These coordinated air and land operations have significantly compounded enemy losses and reinforced Operation HADIN KAI's operational dominance. The sustained and synchronized operations across multiple fronts underscore the military's resolve to degrade terrorists' combat capacity.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their impressive battle performance and urged them to sustain the operational tempo, highlighting the ongoing pressure on terrorist enclaves, logistics corridors, and leadership structures across the theatre.
