Troops from the Joint Task Force, North East, under Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully neutralized 48 terrorists belonging to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during coordinated military operations in Borno and Yobe states. The engagements, which took place between October 29 and 30, 2026, were aimed at repelling attacks on military installations in Bitta, Gwoza Local Government Area, and the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS) in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area.

In a statement released on the Nigerian Army's X handle, Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, detailed the events leading to the significant military success. On the night of October 29, troops in Bitta successfully disrupted a planned assault by terrorists, leveraging both ground forces and air support to inflict heavy casualties on the attackers, who ultimately retreated.

Simultaneously, another operation was underway at NETTS Buni Yadi, where a large group of ISWAP fighters attempted to breach the facility. The confrontation, which lasted approximately five hours, involved a strategic counter-attack that utilized intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems, in addition to coordinated air and ground operations directed by the Theatre Command.

The military's efforts not only thwarted the terrorists' plans but also resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Among the recovered items were 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns, and one 60mm mortar, along with 105 AK-47 magazines and thousands of rounds of various calibers of ammunition.

Despite the successes, the operations came at a cost, with one soldier reported killed and two others sustaining minor injuries during the engagements. Fortunately, those injured are currently receiving treatment, and troop morale remains high following the successful operations.

The military has characterized this outcome as a substantial setback for the terrorist groups, significantly degrading their operational capabilities in the region. This latest success underscores the ongoing commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to combat insurgency and restore peace in the North East.