Military Forces Achieve Significant Counter-Terrorism Success in Borno State
In a major victory against insurgent groups, Nigerian troops have conducted successful operations resulting in the elimination of multiple terrorists and the rescue of numerous hostages in Borno State. The coordinated military actions demonstrate continued progress in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria's northeastern region.
Decisive Counter-Offensive Against Terrorist Elements
According to official statements from Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, military forces neutralized sixteen terrorists during a strategic counter-offensive launched on February 9, 2026. The operation was conducted along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area, following an earlier terrorist attack on a military installation.
The military response was triggered by a failed ISWAP attack on Forward Operating Base Auno that occurred on February 5, 2026, just before midnight. Troops from Sector 1 successfully repelled this initial assault through disciplined firepower and tactical precision, setting the stage for the subsequent counter-offensive.
Comprehensive Operational Success and Hostage Rescues
During the February 9 counter-offensive, troops engaged retreating terrorists up to the Gidan Kaji axis, achieving significant results:
- Sixteen terrorists were neutralized during the engagement
- Numerous additional terrorists fled with severe injuries
- Over twenty bicycles used for terrorist mobility were recovered
- A substantial cache of weapons, logistical items, and operational supplies was seized
In a related development on the same day, troops arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers who were transporting a large quantity of drugs intended for terrorist operations around the Bukarti axis. This action represents a significant blow to terrorist supply networks in the region.
Multiple Hostage Rescue Operations Conducted
The military's success extended beyond direct combat engagements to include critical hostage rescue missions. On February 9, troops responded to multiple distress calls and intercepted kidnapping attempts:
- Along the Buratai-Kamuya road, troops detected terrorist activities and swiftly pursued the perpetrators, forcing them to abandon two victims who were subsequently rescued and reunited with their families in Buratai. The rescued individuals were identified as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu.
- In response to another distress call along the Chibok-Damboa axis, troops successfully rescued nine additional kidnapped victims, bringing the total number of rescued hostages to eleven across the day's operations.
Strategic Implications and Continued Commitment
Military officials emphasized that these coordinated actions have significantly degraded terrorist capabilities in the region while disrupting critical logistics networks. The operations were conducted in synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force, highlighting the collaborative approach to counter-terrorism efforts in northeastern Nigeria.
Operation HADIN KAI continues to demonstrate operational superiority and unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist networks across the North East region. These recent successes underscore the military's dedication to supporting humanitarian efforts and protecting civilian populations from terrorist threats.
The comprehensive nature of these operations—combining direct combat engagements, logistics disruption, and hostage rescue missions—represents a multifaceted approach to counter-terrorism that addresses both immediate threats and longer-term operational capabilities of insurgent groups operating in the region.
