.…As JAS Commander, Fighter Surrender With Arms
By Stella Odueme
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled terrorist attacks on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Borno State, inflicted casualties on terrorists and recovered weapons and ammunition.
The military also disclosed that two Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, including a Qaid (commander), surrendered to troops with weapons.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, September 18, 2026, in Maiduguri.
According to the statement, troops successfully repelled attacks on FOB Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area and FOB Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area on September 17, 2026.
At Gajiram, terrorists advancing towards the FOB were detected early by troops, supported by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets.
The troops immediately adopted defensive measures, while the Air Component of OPHK provided close air support, forcing the terrorists to withdraw from the vicinity into adjoining areas.
In a related development later that night, several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attacked FOB Mairari but met stiff resistance from troops backed by close air support.
The coordinated response contained the attack, inflicted casualties on the terrorists and maintained the integrity of the military base.
The statement said subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four terrorists’ corpses, AK-47 rifles, magazines, quantities of ammunition, RPG bombs and a camcorder, among other items.
It added that troops who sustained injuries during the engagement were promptly stabilised and airlifted to hospital, where they are receiving medical attention.
Following the engagement, the Commander, Sector 3 OPHK, conducted a post-engagement assessment of the affected locations to evaluate the situation, commend the troops and coordinate follow-on actions.
The locations were subsequently reinforced to consolidate the gains and strengthen their defensive posture, while troops continued exploitation of the general areas to prevent terrorists from regrouping.
The military further disclosed that sustained pressure across the Joint Operations Area resulted in the surrender of two JAS terrorists, including a Qaid, to troops of Sector 1 OPHK.
The terrorists surrendered along the Main Supply Route (MSR), Miyanti–Darel Jamel axis in Bama Local Government Area, on the night of September 16, 2026.
They surrendered with three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, a motorcycle and a cache of ammunition.
The statement said the suspects were in military custody undergoing preliminary investigation and profiling in accordance with established procedures.
The military described the successful defence of the locations, recovery of weapons and surrender of terrorist elements as evidence of sustained operational pressure across the theatre.
It said the developments also demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated ground and air operations in denying terrorists freedom of action and maintaining operational momentum across the Joint Operations Area.
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, commended the troops, MNJTF ISR team and aircrew for their vigilance, courage and effective coordination.
Ajose reaffirmed OPHK’s determination to sustain operational pressure against terrorist elements and protect communities across the North East.
He urged terrorists still in the bush to lay down their arms and surrender through established channels, while calling on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces.