Troops Neutralises Six Terrorists, Arrests 11 Suspected Collaborators In Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have neutralised 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, which targeted terrorist fighters and their support networks, were conducted in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas (LGAs) between October 24 and 25, 2026.
In one of the operations, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working alongside Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)/JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga LGA at about 12:37 a.m. on October 25.
The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of six terrorists, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Other items recovered included two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
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 a.m. 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 suspects.
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 undergoing investigation to determine their level of involvement in terrorist activities and establish possible links with other members of the network.
Meanwhile, a JAS member surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel stationed at Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza LGA.
The individual reportedly surrendered at about 9:20 p.m. on October 24 after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Gwoza area of the Mandara Mountains.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the individual had abandoned terrorism and surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The individual is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
The Theatre Command said the operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture, combat readiness and effective coordination of OPHK troops and Hybrid Force personnel in weakening terrorist capabilities and disrupting their support networks.
It reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action, facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and restoring socio-economic activities across the North-East.
The command also urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
