Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have again foiled coordinated terrorist attacks across parts of Adamawa and Borno States, while inflicting heavy losses on fleeing terrorists during follow-up operations.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. SA Atokolo, said terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State under Sector on January 16, 2026.
Troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force.
The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to Nigerian troops and equipment, forcing the terrorists to abandon the attack.
The General area was subsequently cleared and scanned for Improvised Explosive Devices and booby traps, to ensure civilian and troop safety.
In a related development on the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.
The attackers initially attempted to breach part of the defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from troops with support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.
After a prolonged firefight lasting over an hour, the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw.
During the engagement, terrorists’ Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire affected Troop Carrying Vehicles and the CCTV control room which were partially gutted by fire.
Despite this, troops maintained firm control of the situation.
Several terrorists’ weapons and ammunition, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition were recovered from the terrorists.
Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms immediately tracked the fleeing terrorists, enabling follow-up operations along identified withdrawal routes by the Air Component of OPHK.
The precision strikes by the Nigerian Airforce platforms resulted in the neutralisation of additional scores of the terrorists, dealing a severe blow to the group’s fighting strength and morale.
Evidence from the exploitation confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
