Troops Neutralize Terrorists in Yobe Night Raid

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have killed several suspected terrorists and recovered weapons during coordinated military operations in Yobe State, as part of ongoing efforts to weaken insurgent activity in the region.

The operation, conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY V, targeted terrorist positions around Muktum and Ngirbuwa villages, where troops engaged insurgents in a night offensive. Military authorities said the mission resulted in multiple enemy casualties and the seizure of equipment used by the fleeing fighters.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the military confirmed that the offensive forms part of sustained clearance operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating across the North-East theatre.

Weapons, Motorcycles, and Supplies Seized

According to the military, troops working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force confronted the insurgents during the night operation, forcing them to retreat under pressure.

Following the engagement, soldiers recovered two AK-47 rifles, three motorcycles, and several mobile phones believed to have been used by the fighters. Security personnel also discovered drag marks and a shallow grave along the escape route, suggesting additional casualties among the fleeing terrorists.

In a separate but related operation, troops operating along the Bulayobe–Darel Jamel axis intercepted suspected insurgents attempting to move across a key supply route. The suspects fled upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning two sacks containing logistics items believed to be intended for terrorist operations.

Military officials noted that disrupting supply channels remains critical to weakening insurgent capabilities, as access to transportation, weapons, and communications equipment plays a major role in sustaining attacks.

Military Sustains Pressure Amid Fragile Security Situation

Despite the recent operational successes, military authorities cautioned that the security situation across the North-East remains volatile. They explained that while troops have continued to dominate several operational areas, insurgent elements still attempt to regroup and launch sporadic attacks.

The military, however, expressed confidence in the preparedness and morale of deployed personnel, stating that troops remain committed to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.

Authorities also reassured residents that ongoing offensives are designed not only to eliminate immediate threats but to create conditions necessary for long-term stability and economic recovery.

Operation HADIN KAI, which replaced the earlier Operation Lafiya Dole, remains the Nigerian military’s principal counter-insurgency mission in the North-East. Under Operation DESERT SANITY V, troops have intensified ground assaults, surveillance, and intelligence-driven missions aimed at dismantling the operational capacity of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.

Security forces say continued collaboration between the military, local vigilante groups, and intelligence units will be essential to sustaining recent gains and preventing terrorists from re-establishing strongholds in vulnerable communities.

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