Troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminate 24 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in sustained offensive operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Air Component, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters, have neutralised 24 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in a series of coordinated ambushes and clearance operations conducted across parts of Borno and Adamawa States between July 4 and July 9.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the intensified operations, which form part of a renewed offensive against terrorist elements in the North East, also led to the destruction of multiple insurgent hideouts, seizure of arms, logistics supplies, and mobility assets.
According to sources, one of the first engagements occurred on July 4, when troops laid an ambush at Platari, intercepting terrorists on bicycles moving from the Sambisa axis towards the Timbuktu Triangle. Troops opened fire on the militants, neutralising three on the spot.
On the same day, intelligence reports on insurgent movement around Komala prompted another ambush, leading to the death of one terrorist. A subsequent search of the area yielded motorcycles, spare parts, sprayers, pesticides, and food items meant for the insurgents.
Still on July 4, a night ambush in the Kawuri area of Konduga Local Government Area resulted in the killing of two insurgents attempting to move logistics. Items recovered included packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other essentials, suggesting ongoing resupply efforts by the insurgents.
In a separate incident on July 5, troops intercepted insurgents attempting to infiltrate the Madarari IDP camp in Konduga. One terrorist was gunned down while others fled with injuries. Ammunition was recovered during a follow-up search of the area.
The following day, on July 6, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves in Leno Kura. Contact was made, and three insurgents were neutralised in a coordinated attack from multiple directions.
Further ambushes were conducted along suspected crossing points on the Ngoshe-Gava and Amuda-Gava roads. During these operations, one insurgent was killed and several others escaped.
On July 7, troops acting on intelligence carried out another ambush near Sabsawa village, where two insurgents suspected to be logistics suppliers were neutralised. Recovered items included bicycles, sacks of slippers, torches, batteries, and other logistics supplies.
A significant clearance operation was carried out on July 8 at Bula Marwa – a known ISWAP/JAS stronghold. With close air support, troops eliminated one insurgent, destroyed the terrorists’ camp, and recovered a dane gun and terrorist uniforms.
Simultaneously, troops in conjunction with CJTF and hunters conducted a fighting patrol in Pambula village, Madagali LGA of Adamawa State. Contact was made with terrorists who were swiftly engaged. One was killed, and troops recovered four motorcycles and a dane gun.
The clearance operation at Bula Marwa was further intensified later the same day. Another insurgent was killed, and a second camp was destroyed.
The offensive peaked on July 9 with a combined clearance operation in Tangalanga and Bula Marwa, where three more insurgents were eliminated after a fierce firefight. Troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The camps’ life-support structures were also destroyed.
In continued operations, troops mounted ambushes at Ngailda, Manjim, and Wulle villages. After making contact, troops neutralised six insurgents and recovered motorcycles and bicycles used for mobility.
The successful ambushes and patrols have disrupted key terrorist supply routes and degraded their logistical capacity.
“These operations show a clear shift in momentum. “We are pushing the terrorists deeper into disarray, and our intelligence-led ambush strategy is yielding results.”said military intelligence sources.
