Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have successfully foiled coordinated attacks by terrorists on military bases in Adamawa and Borno states, inflicting heavy losses on the assailants and maintaining control of strategic defence positions, military authorities said in a statement on Friday.
In the early hours of January 16, 2026, militants launched a multi‑pronged offensive aimed at overrunning a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which falls under Sector 4 of OPHK. According to Lieutenant S.A. Atokolo, Acting Media Information Officer of the joint task force, alert troops at the base confronted the attackers with swift and sustained firepower, backed by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force, forcing the insurgents to retreat. No casualties were recorded among military personnel or damage to equipment in that engagement.
After repelling the assault, soldiers cleared the area and scanned for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other booby traps in order to ensure the continued safety of both troops and nearby civilians.
Simultaneously, the insurgents mounted a large‑scale attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Azir in Borno State, attempting to breach defensive perimeters in what the military described as a coordinated offensive. Despite initial impacts from rocket‑propelled grenade (RPG) fire, which damaged troop‑carrying vehicles and a base CCTV control room, Nigerian soldiers held firm under fire. After a fierce firefight lasting more than an hour, the attackers were driven back.
During and after the clashes, troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition abandoned by the retreating terrorists. Items seized included a 60 mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy‑machine‑gun rounds and hundreds of rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, military spokesmen said, highlighting the scale of weaponry insurgents brought to the attempted assault.
Following the ground engagements, Nigerian Air Force platforms and other aerial assets attached to OPHK tracked and engaged fleeing militants along their withdrawal routes. Precision strikes by the Air Component reportedly neutralised additional terrorists, delivering a heavy blow to their fighting capability and morale. Military officials stated that evidence from the follow‑up operations confirmed significant casualties among the insurgents.
The successful defence and counter‑attacks underscore the coordination between land and air elements of Operation Hadin Kai — a long‑running counter‑insurgency campaign aimed at dismantling extremist networks in Nigeria’s North‑East. The joint task force emphasised the importance of integrated combat operations, continuous intelligence gathering and sustained pressure on militant strongholds to deny terrorists freedom of action.
The attacks in Adamawa and Borno form part of continued efforts by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other insurgent groups to challenge military posts and widen their sphere of influence despite years of Nigerian military offensives. Insurgents have repeatedly sought to exploit remote patrol bases and forward positions, testing Nigeria’s defence posture in the volatile region.
In response, the Nigerian Army and its security partners have intensified intelligence‑led operations, air interdictions and rapid reaction deployments designed to disrupt militant plots and protect civilian populations. These operations have been credited with degrading insurgent capabilities over time, while continuing efforts aim to reduce violence and restore stability across the North‑East.
In its official release, OPHK reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, denying terrorists safe havens and networks of support, and ultimately eliminating the threat posed by violent extremist organisations. “Our troops remain resolute and unwavering in their mandate to deny terrorists freedom of action,” the statement said, adding that operations will continue until all threats are neutralised.
The latest operations reflect both the capability and resilience of Nigerian security forces in confronting high‑intensity militant attacks, and the persistent challenges of counter‑insurgency in a region plagued by years of violence and displacement.
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