Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded significant operational successes in ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-East, including the recovery of arms and ammunition as well as the arrest of a suspected terrorist.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, troops operating under Operation DESERT SANITY/VIGILANT SIEGE thwarted a planned terrorist attack after discovering an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along a route behind the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp near a military location in Ladari.
The device, believed to have been planted to target reinforcement teams and military vehicles, was safely detonated in-situ by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists without casualties.
In a related operation, troops conducting strangulation patrols along the Ladari riverbanks uncovered an abandoned cache of arms and ammunition. Recovered items included one Browning pistol, one locally fabricated pistol, 26 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and seven cartridges.
The statement further revealed that troops of Sector 3, working in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives, arrested a 15-year-old suspected terrorist identified as Umar Zacharria in Gubio town.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspect to terrorist activities along the Kareto axis, where motorists have come under repeated attacks. The suspect is currently in military custody for further investigation.
The Joint Task Force said the coordinated operations demonstrate the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorist elements to deny them freedom of action across the theatre of Operation HADIN KAI.
It reassured residents of the region of the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, neutralising threats, and restoring lasting peace, security, and economic stability in the North-East.
The military high command also commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and dedication, urging them to sustain the current operational momentum in the interest of national security and regional stability.
