Nigerian Troops Uncover Mass Grave with 20 Terrorist Bodies in Sambisa Forest Operations
In a significant development in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have made a grim discovery within the Sambisa forest area of Borno State. During recent clearance operations in the notorious Timbuktu Triangle, military personnel uncovered a mass grave containing the bodies of approximately twenty terrorists killed in previous engagements with Nigerian forces.
Military Statement Details Operational Successes
Lieutenant Colonel Sanu Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, confirmed this discovery in an official statement released on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. According to the military spokesperson, this finding serves as concrete evidence of the substantial casualties inflicted upon terrorist elements and effectively undermines their propaganda efforts that often downplay their losses.
The statement further elaborated that Nigerian troops have maintained their operational momentum, successfully clearing and dominating several key terrorist strongholds across the Timbuktu Triangle. These locations include strategic areas such as Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general regions, where security forces have been conducting sustained offensive actions against insurgent networks.
Intense Combat Operations and Casualties
During these recent phases of military operations, troops encountered fleeing terrorist elements on multiple occasions, engaging them with substantial firepower that resulted in the neutralization of several additional insurgents. The operations, however, were not without significant challenges and sacrifices for Nigerian security forces.
On January 20, 2026, while consolidating their position approximately six kilometers north of Chilaria, troops confronted two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). Through vigilant response and swift tactical action, military personnel successfully neutralized one of these explosive threats. Unfortunately, the second VBIED managed to breach defensive positions, impacting some logistical platforms and resulting in casualties among Nigerian forces.
Some courageous soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the ultimate sacrifice during this attack, while others sustained various injuries. The wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Coordinated Evacuation and Air Support
The evacuation operation demonstrated remarkable coordination between different branches of Nigeria's armed forces. Nigerian Air Force platforms from the Air Component worked in synergy with other Nigerian Army air assets to provide continuous aerial overwatch during the casualty extraction process. This coordinated air support ensured the safe evacuation of injured personnel while simultaneously maintaining security for ground forces, who continued to neutralize terrorist threats throughout the operation.
Significance of the Mass Grave Discovery
The discovery of mass graves containing an estimated twenty terrorist bodies represents a crucial intelligence and psychological victory for Nigerian security forces. According to military analysis, these terrorists were killed during previous encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle and were subsequently buried by their fellow insurgents in an attempt to conceal the true extent of their losses.
This revelation exposes the substantial scale of terrorist casualties and further discredits the propaganda narratives often promoted by insurgent groups operating in the region. The finding provides tangible evidence that contradicts terrorist claims about their operational effectiveness and survivability against Nigerian military pressure.
Current Security Situation and Ongoing Operations
Across the entire theater of operations in northeastern Nigeria, the security situation remains generally stable according to military assessments. Troop morale and combat efficiency continue to remain high despite the challenges encountered during recent engagements. Military operations persist with sustained pressure on fleeing terrorist elements, as Nigerian forces maintain their offensive posture against insurgent networks.
In his concluding remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Uba reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI troops to their primary objectives: protecting civilian populations, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring lasting peace and security across Nigeria's northeastern region. The military spokesperson emphasized that Nigerian forces remain resolute in their determination to achieve these critical security goals despite the sacrifices required in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
