In a significant operation, troops from the Nigerian Army have neutralised six terrorists and arrested eleven suspected collaborators in Borno State. This development is part of the ongoing efforts by the Joint Task Force North-East, known as Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), to combat terrorism in the region.

The operations were carried out in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas, with troops from the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison executing an ambush against suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS). The ambush occurred along the Targejeri axis of Kaga at approximately 12:37 a.m. on October 25, resulting in the neutralisation of six terrorists. During this encounter, troops recovered a cache of weapons and materials, including an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

In a follow-up operation, six additional suspected collaborators were arrested in Benisheikh, Kaga, at around 6:20 a.m. on October 24. This brought the total number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to eleven, which includes five previously arrested individuals. The items recovered during this raid included another AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, terrorist uniforms, and various mobile phones.

Additionally, troops at the Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza received a member of JAS who surrendered on the evening of October 24. This individual reportedly escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and expressed a desire to abandon the life of terrorism. He surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of ammunition.

The military has emphasized that these operations highlight OPHK’s commitment to disrupting terrorist activities and dismantling support networks. They also aim to encourage defections from terrorist groups through sustained, intelligence-led operations. The Nigerian Army has called on the public to provide credible information to assist security agencies in restoring peace and facilitating the safe return of displaced communities.