Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in parts of Adamawa and Borno states, stopping the assaults and inflicting heavy losses on the attackers.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant S.A. Atokolo, the first attack occurred in the early hours of January 16, 2026, at a patrol base in Sabon Gari, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He said terrorists attempted to overrun the base, but alert troops engaged them promptly, with reinforcements arriving from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The attackers were forced to retreat, with no casualties recorded among the troops and no equipment lost. The area was later secured and searched for improvised explosive devices to ensure the safety of both civilians and soldiers.
Later the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional attack on the Forward Operating Base at Azir in Borno State. Troops, supported by the Air Component and Nigerian Army aerial platforms, responded with heavy firepower.
After a fierce gun battle that lasted for more than an hour, the attackers were pushed back and compelled to withdraw. Although rocket-propelled grenade fire damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and the CCTV control room, troops maintained control of the base.
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Several weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operation, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Lieutenant Atokolo added that continued intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance helped track fleeing terrorists, leading to follow-up operations that neutralised more militants and significantly weakened their fighting capability.
He said the operation reflects the dedication and sacrifice of troops of Operation HADIN KAI in securing lives, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring peace to the North East, noting that military operations will continue until all threats are eliminated.
