Operation Hadin Kai intensifies campaign against ISWAP, Boko Haram, records major gains in August
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intensified their campaign against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists across the North-East, recording significant operational gains during sustained ground and air operations in August 2026.
The offensive operations resulted in the neutralisation of 152 terrorists, arrest of 142 suspects and surrender of 219 terrorists during the month, highlighting the increasing pressure being brought to bear on terrorist networks operating across the theatre.
The operations also disrupted terrorist movements and logistics through a combination of ground offensives, intelligence-led actions and air interdictions.
According to operational data obtained by Zagazola Makama, troops conducted 10 air interdictionsduring the period and successfully neutralised nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), denying terrorists the opportunity to use the explosive devices against troops and civilians.
The destruction of the IEDs also helped to secure major routes and movement corridors frequently used by security forces and local communities.
The sustained offensive also yielded significant recoveries of weapons, ammunition and other items linked to terrorist operations. Troops recovered 58 weapons and explosive items, including AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, locally fabricated firearms, a hand grenade and an RPG bomb. A total of 1,184 rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operations. Other items recovered included 16 mobility assets, 44 mobile phones, a Sony video camcorder and N1,794,910 in cash.
The recoveries are expected to further support ongoing intelligence efforts aimed at tracking terrorist logistics networks, identifying their collaborators and disrupting their ability to sustain attacks across the region.
The August operational figures reflect the multi-dimensional approach adopted by Operation Hadin Kai, combining offensive ground operations, air interdictions, intelligence gathering and community-supported security activities.
The surrender of 219 terrorists during the month also represents an important dimension of the campaign, as it reduces the manpower available to terrorist organisations while providing security agencies with opportunities to obtain valuable information on terrorist structures, movements and logistics.
The military’s continued pressure has increasingly forced terrorist elements to operate under more difficult conditions, with their freedom of movement and ability to sustain conventional attacks being progressively constrained.
The campaign is aimed at creating conditions for the safe return of displaced populations, reopening access routes, restoring economic activity and enabling communities to resume normal livelihoods.
The destruction of IEDs, in particular, remains critical to civilian safety, as the devices pose a persistent threat to troops, farmers, commuters and other residents using roads and rural pathways.
The military high command and local communities have commended the troops for their sacrifices, resilience and commitment to restoring peace across the North-East.
As Operation Hadin Kai enters subsequent phases of its counter-insurgency campaign, the August results demonstrate the continued emphasis on dismantling terrorist logistics, degrading their fighting capability and compelling members of the insurgent groups to abandon the battlefield.
The ultimate objective was to deny ISWAP and Boko Haram the ability to threaten communities, reclaim areas affected by insurgency and create a more secure environment for sustainable recovery across the North-East.
