Air platforms of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised scores of suspected terrorists in multiple intelligence-led precision strikes across Borno State.
The operations were conducted between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, 2026, following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions that identified movements and concentrations of suspected terrorists.
According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, the air operations targeted terrorist concentrations in the Aduwa axis of Monguno Local Government Area and around Buratai in Biu LGA.
In one of the operations, an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists around Aduwa before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement.
Following surveillance and the requisite operational authorisation, the military conducted two precision strikes on the target.
The subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated significant effects, with about 16 terrorists neutralised in the two strikes.
The platform later detected another group of terrorists attempting to regroup away from the initial target location. A further precision engagement was conducted, with assessment indicating that about 10 terrorists in the group had also been successfully engaged.
In a separate operation around Buratai, Biu Local Government Area, another Operation HADIN KAI air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location.
After sustained surveillance and the necessary authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike that impacted the identified target and neutralised about 10 additional terrorists.
The latest operations bring the number of terrorists reportedly neutralised in the strikes to about 36.
The military said the strikes demonstrated the effectiveness of the task force’s integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they could develop into threats to troops and vulnerable communities.
The Joint Task Force said the operations were also intended to limit the terrorists’ freedom of movement, disrupt their command and control structures and place additional pressure on their logistics and fighting formations.
“Attempts by terrorist elements to conceal their movements, disperse into smaller groups or exploit remote locations cannot be relied upon to guarantee freedom from detection,” the statement said.
The kinetic operations are being complemented by non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging and humanitarian coordination, the task force added.
It also said efforts were being intensified to encourage terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and surrender, noting that the increasing number of recent surrenders reflected the growing pressure on terrorist networks.
Operation HADIN KAI urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security forces to support early threat detection and the protection of lives and property.
“Community cooperation remains essential to early threat detection, protection of lives and property, and consolidation of the gains being recorded in the counter-terrorism campaign,” the statement said.
The Joint Task Force said it would continue coordinated operations against terrorist networks while supporting efforts to restore peace, security and normal socio-economic activities across the North-East.
Source: Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, August 22, 2026.
