By Stella Odueme
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised six terrorists, arrested 11 suspected terrorist collaborators and recorded the surrender of a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) member in separate operations in Borno State.
The operations, conducted between October 24 and 25, 2026, targeted suspected terrorists and their support networks in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of the state.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
According to the statement, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working with Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga LGA at about 12:37 a.m. on October 25, killing six terrorists.
The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Android phones, three button phones and charms during the operation.
In a related development, troops conducted a follow-up raid in Benisheikh town, Kaga LGA, at about 6:20 a.m. on October 24, leading to the arrest of six additional suspected terrorist collaborators.
The arrests brought the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to 11, including five suspects arrested earlier.
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.
Goni 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.
The statement further disclosed that troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel deployed at the Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza LGA, received a JAS member who surrendered at about 9:20 p.m. on October 24.
The individual reportedly surrendered after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Gwoza area of the Mandara Mountains, expressing his decision to abandon terrorism.
He surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.
The former terrorist is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
According to the statement, the latest operational successes demonstrate the sustained offensive operations, combat readiness and coordination between OPHK troops and Hybrid Force personnel in weakening terrorist capabilities, disrupting support networks and encouraging defections.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations across the North-East, with the aim of denying terrorists freedom of action, facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and restoring socio-economic activities.
It also urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.