Troops of the Nigerian military have killed six suspected terrorists, arrested 11 suspected collaborators and received the surrender of a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) member during separate counter-terrorism operations in Borno State.
The operations were conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with Hybrid Force personnel in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, mobile phones and other items during the operations.
Goni said troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working with Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed Islamic State West Africa Province and JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga Local Government Area at about 12:37 am on October 25, 2026.
“The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of six terrorists,” the statement said.
The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the scene. Two Android phones, three button phones and charms were also recovered.
In a related operation, troops arrested six additional suspected terrorist collaborators during a follow-up raid in Benisheikh town, Kaga LGA, at about 6:20 am on October 24.
The arrests brought the total number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to 11, following the earlier arrest of five suspected collaborators.
Items recovered during the raid included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three terrorist uniforms, a turban, a head mask, two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
The military said the suspects were being investigated to determine their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and establish possible links with other members of the network.
In another development, troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel deployed at the Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons camp in Gwoza LGA, received a JAS member who surrendered at about 9:20 pm on October 24.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations indicated that the individual had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Gwoza area of the Mandara Mountains and decided to abandon terrorism.
The defector surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.
He is currently in custody undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
The military said the latest operations reflected its continued efforts to weaken terrorist groups, disrupt their support networks and encourage more members to abandon insurgency.
It added that the recovery of weapons and ammunition, alongside the arrest of suspected collaborators, was part of efforts to deprive terrorist groups of the resources and logistical support needed to sustain their activities.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations across the North-East, with the aim of restricting terrorists’ movements, facilitating the safe return of displaced residents and restoring socio-economic activities.
It also urged residents to provide security agencies with credible and timely information to support ongoing operations and promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
