Over 70 Captives Escape as Troops Destroy ISWAP Detention Facilities

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded a major operational breakthrough following a series of coordinated military offensives that led to the discovery and destruction of notorious ISWAP terrorist detention facilities deep inside the forested Timbuktu Triangle in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The successful operation, conducted over the past two weeks, marks a significant penetration into areas previously considered beyond the reach of security forces and underscores the growing effectiveness of sustained, intelligence-driven counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
The offensive was executed under Operation DESERT SANITY V, following relentless pressure and precision manoeuvres that forced ISWAP fighters to abandon critical infrastructure within their inner strongholds. The discovery and destruction of the detention facilities clearly indicate that OPHK troops have advanced deep into the terrorists’ sanctuaries, denying them both physical space and psychological advantage.
Between 21 January 2026 and date, troops uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities concealed within the Timbuktu Triangle forest spanning parts of Borno and Yobe states. Preliminary assessments revealed that the facilities had the capacity to hold up to 300 detainees, highlighting their importance to ISWAP’s operational, coercive, and ransom-generation framework.
Further findings confirmed that sustained offensive actions by the troops directly resulted in the escape of over 70 captives previously held by the terrorists. Several of the escapees later resurfaced in communities including Goniri, Buratai and Mandaragirau, corroborating the success of the operation.
One of the escapees, Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, a native of Kufi village near Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, who was abducted on 22 December 2025, disclosed that he escaped during a fierce gun battle between ISWAP fighters and advancing troops within the Timbuktu Triangle.
During the series of engagements, ISWAP suffered significant combat losses, with no fewer than 32 terrorists neutralised, including two Qaids and three Munzirs, while several others sustained serious injuries.
Following the complete clearance of the area, the three detention facilities were deliberately demolished to permanently deny ISWAP the opportunity to reuse or reoccupy the sites. The operation was executed successfully without incident, reflecting the resilience, professionalism, discipline, and combat effectiveness of OPHK troops.
Beyond its tactical significance, the destruction of the detention camps has severely degraded ISWAP’s internal enforcement mechanisms, disrupted its ability to detain civilians for ransom, and further restricted its freedom of action. The mass escape of detainees not only weakens the group’s funding streams but also erodes its grip over local populations, while potentially providing valuable intelligence to support ongoing operations.
While the overall security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, troop morale and fighting efficiency remain high. The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirm their commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements, denying them safe havens, and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.