Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised several terrorists and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during separate operations in Adamawa State.
The operations, conducted between September 30 and October 1, 2026, covered parts of Sector 4 of the theatre of operations and involved ground troops and the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops ambushed a group of terrorists in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area.
The military said the operation resulted in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists, while troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles and one Dane gun from the area.
Six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges were also recovered during the operation.
In a separate operation, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a precision air strike after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform detected suspected terrorists gathering in Sector 4.
The military said about 16 terrorists and 15 motorcycles were sighted under a tree canopy at about 4:40am on October 1.
Following the identification of the target, an air interdiction was carried out at about 5:30am, with the military reporting a direct hit.
“Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the successful destruction of the target, while few surviving elements scattered in disarray,” Goni said in the statement.
Meanwhile, troops also repelled coordinated attacks on their positions at 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha.
The attackers were forced to withdraw after troops responded with heavy firepower, according to the military.
However, three soldiers were killed during the fighting, while some others sustained injuries.
Goni said the wounded personnel had been evacuated and were receiving medical treatment, adding that their condition was stable.
He said troops had continued with follow-up operations and mopping up of the affected areas to prevent the attackers from regrouping.
The latest operations come as the Headquarters Theatre Command continues to adjust its operational structure to improve coordination between ground troops, the Air Component and other elements involved in the counter-terrorism campaign.
According to the statement, the changes are aimed at strengthening joint operations and improving coordination among security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The Theatre Command said it would maintain its offensive against terrorist groups in the North-East while making greater use of intelligence, technology and joint military capabilities.
The military also called on residents to remain alert and provide security agencies with credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
“Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, appreciates the continued support and cooperation of the public and urges citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies,” the statement said.
The military said the troops remained committed to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and supporting efforts to restore peace and security across the North-East.
