Troops of the Sector 2, Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralized 24 Boko Haram terrorists in the Kukareta community in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe state. The insurgents were eliminated in a foiled attack on the community in the early hours of Thursday, 23rd April 2026.
Attack Repelled
OPHK Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, stated Thursday in Maiduguri that the troops in the border community with Borno state successfully repelled a determined terrorist attack on Kukareta village along the Damaturu-Maiduguri road. The Thursday dawn attack, which commenced shortly after midnight and lasted until about 3:00 a.m., was met with a swift and coordinated response by the vigilant troops, who executed what he described as a deliberate offensive-defensive action that effectively contained the assault and forced the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal from the community.
Heavy Casualties Inflicted
Beyond foiling the attack, Uba added that during the engagement, troops inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, with 24 terrorists neutralized so far. Ongoing exploitation of the battlefield has also led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, three RPG tubes, two mortar tubes, four hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition for PKT systems.
Troop Casualties and Ongoing Operations
Uba noted that two personnel were injured in action but have been stabilized, while a reinforcing armored tank sustained damage with all tires blown out during the engagement. He said that military operations are ongoing to recover additional bodies and equipment along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, which are littered with blood trails and medical consumables. This successful operation highlights the resilience, combat readiness, and fire superiority of OPHK troops in denying terrorists the freedom of action.
