The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised more than 30 terrorists and facilitated the return of over 700 Nigerian refugees within the past week, as military operations intensified across the North East.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations nationwide.
Onoja said the achievements followed aggressive, intelligence-driven operations against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) elements, carried out in coordination with air assets and local security groups.
He said that on January 30, troops conducting clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State neutralised over 20 terrorists, including a notorious commander identified as Julaibib.
The defence spokesman added that similar operations in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, as well as in Hong and Mubi North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, resulted in further neutralisations, arrests of kidnappers, rescue of abductees, and recovery of weapons and equipment.
According to him, troops also uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities along the Damboa–Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, each capable of holding about 300 captives, leading to the rescue of 70 victims.
“In the same period, the second batch of about 700 Nigerian refugees was successfully repatriated from Cameroon through the Banki border in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, with adequate security provided throughout the exercise,” Onoja said.
He added that sustained operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States also led to the arrest of terrorist logistics suppliers and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
Onoja further disclosed that air interdiction missions destroyed five suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) along the Marguna road in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
He said the sustained military pressure had continued to degrade terrorist networks and improve security conditions to support safe resettlement and stability in the region.