Troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with local vigilante groups, have foiled a terrorist logistics movement and neutralised 17 suspected insurgents during a coordinated long-range ambush in Borno State.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, 21 December 2025, followed actionable intelligence on the movement of logistics supplies by suspected Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements.
Acting on the intelligence, troops, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, deployed to an interception point between Sojiri and Kayamla villages on the night of 20 December.
According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the suspected terrorists arrived at the location in the early hours of 21 December, riding bicycles and conveying logistics materials, thereby confirming prior intelligence reports. The troops, positioned in concealed and well-coordinated formations, engaged the insurgents decisively.
During the exchange of fire, 17 suspected terrorists were neutralised, while several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds. Items recovered at the scene included bicycles, assorted food items, drugs and medical supplies, detergents, clothing materials, bicycle tyres, torchlights, other sundry logistics items, as well as assorted weapons of different calibres and ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba said the ambush team successfully withdrew to its base without casualties, added that exploitation and follow-up operations are ongoing to further dominate the area and deny insurgents freedom of movement.
He noted that troop morale remains high, with fighting efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.
The Military High Command, he added, has commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the current operational tempo, stressing that the operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint security efforts in degrading terrorist networks and disrupting their sustainment capabilities.
