Nigerian Troops Neutralize 38 ISWAP Fighters, Recover Weapons in Borno Operation
Troops from Sector 2 of the North-East Joint Task Force, operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have successfully neutralized 38 terrorists belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State. The decisive engagement occurred in the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis within the Timbuktu triangle of the Sambisa Forest, marking a significant blow to insurgent activities in the region.
Military Operation Details
According to a statement released by OPHK Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the operation took place on March 28, 2026. Troops stationed at the Mandaragirau Army Base of Sector 2 effectively repelled a half-hearted attack launched by ISWAP terrorists. The ground forces engaged the insurgents with well-coordinated offensive and defensive maneuvers, forcing them into a disorderly retreat.
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided crucial close air support, utilizing Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) feedback to enhance targeted kinetic responses. Subsequent exploitation along the terrorists' withdrawal routes inflicted additional heavy losses on the ISWAP terror group.
Key outcomes of the operation include:
- Approximately 38 terrorists neutralized, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate engagement area of Mandaragirau.
- Local communities along the Damboa-Biu Road confirmed over 30 additional terrorists' bodies and abandoned weapons in the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis.
- Evidence of blood trails and discarded fighting equipment indicated the terrorists' frantic flight into the forest.
Weapons Recovered and Casualties
The troops successfully recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, demonstrating the effectiveness of their operation. The recovered items include:
- Seven AK-47 rifles
- Eight magazines
- Four Rapid Propelled Grenades (RPGs) bombs
- Assorted ammunition
Remarkably, the operation recorded no fatalities among Nigerian troops. However, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by RPG fire, with injured personnel promptly stabilized at the frontline of operation.
Community Impact and Ongoing Operations
The scale of enemy losses has triggered widespread jubilation among local communities, underscoring the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action in Borno State. Lt.-Col. Uba emphasized that additional exploitation operations are ongoing in the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis on the fringes of Sambisa Forest to recover littered terrorists' dead bodies and consolidate troops' gains.
The Military High Command in Abuja has commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain operational tempo in protecting lives and property across the North-East region.
Controversy Over Defense Chief's Remarks
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned recent remarks attributed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. The group described his reported comparison of rehabilitating terrorists to the Biblical parable of the prodigal son as deeply offensive and intellectually flawed.
In a statement by National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA argued that this analogy creates a dangerous moral equivalence that diminishes the gravity of atrocities committed by Boko Haram and ISWAP. The group maintained that the prodigal son narrative involves repentance within a family setting, not systematic slaughter of innocent civilians, mass abductions, and crimes against humanity.
HURIWA's key criticisms include:
- The statement sends wrong signals when Nigerians expect decisive action against terrorism
- It reflects alleged institutional decay within the military establishment
- The analogy is insensitive to victims of terrorism and members of the Christian faith
- It risks trivializing both religious teachings and victims' suffering
The association called on Gen. Oluyede to tender an unreserved public apology to Nigerians, particularly to terrorism victims and Christians who may find the analogy offensive.
Defense Headquarters Response
The Defence Headquarters has responded, stating that Gen. Oluyede was grossly misquoted in his remarks about re-radicalizing repentant terrorists at Operation Safe Corridor. According to a statement signed by Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, Spokesperson to the Defence Headquarters, the General's speech was not aimed at favoring repentant terrorists at the expense of their victims.
The Defense Headquarters emphasized that re-radicalization represents a strategic means to weaken terrorist activities globally, and that media reports carefully avoided the substance of the General's speech while focusing narrowly on the rehabilitation aspect.
This military success in Borno comes amid ongoing debates about appropriate approaches to counter-terrorism, rehabilitation programs, and military communication strategies in Nigeria's complex security landscape.
