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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully thwarted terrorist attacks launched by ISWAP fighters on multiple troops locations at Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai and Damboa.
The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of 16 March 2026, were mounted from several directions in a desperate attempt by the terrorists to gain propaganda advantage and overrun military positions.
At Ajiri Cross, ahead of Njimtilo, terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions mounted by troops of Sector 1 but were swiftly detected and decisively engaged by the vigilant troops who had anticipated the move and prepared a deliberate offensive-defensive posture to defeat the assault.
Through coordinated firepower and tactical manoeuvre designed to disrupt the attackers and cut off their withdrawal routes, the terrorists were routed and forced into a disorganised retreat while suffering heavy casualties.
Similar desperate attacks at Baga, Buratai and Damboa were met with determined resistance as troops brought superior firepower to bear on the attackers.
The engagements were further reinforced by timely close air support from the Air Component and the Nigerian Army Aviation, whose precision strikes disrupted the terrorists’ assault formations and compounded their losses as they attempted to withdraw.
During the engagements, several terrorists were neutralised, including a key leader who spearheaded the Buratai assault, while many others sustained injuries as they fled along their withdrawal routes.
Despite the intensity of the firefights, which resulted in the destruction of some equipment and a number of wounded personnel, troops remained resolute and maintained firm control of all locations while continuing exploitation operations to pursue the fleeing terrorists.
Following the engagements, troops conducted exploitation operations around Baga, extending to Korochara and Garin Giwa ahead of the Gidan Kaje general area.
During the exploitation, troops recovered significant quantities of enemy weapons and equipment, including 3 PKT machine guns, 7 AK-47 rifles, 206 rounds of PKT ammunition, 418 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, 7 AK-47 magazines, 3 AK-74 magazines and 3 RPG bombs.
Other items recovered include 2 camel bags, 3 head warmers, 1 blanket, 1 magazine carrier and 1 litre of engine oil, while 3 motorcycles used by the terrorists were also destroyed.
In addition, 7 terrorist corpses were recovered while the miscreants buried another 20 bodies in shallow graves.
These failed attacks further demonstrate the growing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure from OPHK forces across the Theatre.
The successive defeats inflicted on the terrorists have significantly constrained their freedom of action and disrupted their attempts to create false propaganda narratives.
Operation HADIN KAI therefore reassures the public that all affected locations remain firmly under the control of own troops and that the Joint Task Force remains fully committed and capable of decisively defeating terrorist elements across the North East.
Members of the public are also urged to remain vigilant and disregard disinformation and fake reports aimed at undermining ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East)
Operation HADIN KAI
17 March, 2026
