From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has said troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded major successes against insurgents between March 7 and 12, 2026, killing terrorists, arresting suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims, and recovering arms and ammunition across various theatres of operation.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, noting that troops sustained aggressive operations against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and other terrorist groups in the North-East.
He said the operations were supported by intelligence gathering and collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, local hunters, and other hybrid forces.
According to him, troops between March 7 and 11 exerted sustained pressure on terrorists across the theatre, repelling several attacks and disrupting their logistics networks.
Onoja said three suspected logistics suppliers were intercepted in Kanama, while a terrorist tax collector was arrested in Kafiya Village, both in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
He added that troops also recovered arms caches after repelling attacks in Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State on March 9.
“Troops also repelled simultaneous terrorist assaults on Forward Operating Base Tuba and Doro Baga on March 10, demonstrating superior defensive coordination and combat readiness,” he said.
The defence spokesman added that troops carried out an ambush operation at Mantamaleri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on March 11, killing two terrorists.
He said troops also responded to distress calls in Madagali and Maiha Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, rescuing kidnapped victims and seizing 23 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit intended for terrorist use.
Onoja further disclosed that 14 additional terrorists surrendered during the period, increasing the total number of insurgents who have laid down their arms under Operation Hadin Kai since the creation of Operation Safe Corridor in 2015 to 122,843.
He added that troops of Sector 2 in Goniri, Yobe State, supported by air power, repelled a coordinated night attack by ISWAP fighters on March 11, killing over 20 terrorists, including a high-value target identified as Abu Yusu.
According to him, weapons, improvised explosive devices, and ammunition were recovered during the operation.
The military also recorded operational successes in other parts of the country, including the North-West, North-Central, and South-East.
Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intensified operations against terrorists in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, dismantling logistics networks and protecting critical infrastructure.
He added that troops under Operation Savannah Shield continued counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations in Kwara and Niger states, while Operation Whirl Stroke maintained security operations across Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi State.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka targeted criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
Onoja said the operations were aimed at restoring normalcy, securing transportation routes, and dismantling criminal infrastructure.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would intensify ongoing operations to eliminate remaining terrorist and criminal elements threatening national security.
He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their dedication and thanked the public for providing credible information that supports military operations.
