Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Maiduguri, Nigeria — Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, operating under the framework of Operation DESERT SANITY V, have achieved a series of significant victories aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics networks and criminal support structures that have long enabled insurgent activities in Nigeria’s North East. Military authorities, speaking through the operation’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed the developments in statements issued this week and over recent days, detailing several coordinated actions that reflect sustained pressure on extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In one of the latest intelligence-led operations on January 23, 2026, troops arrested a 65-year-old woman, identified as Hauwa Abulazeez, in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on suspicion of supplying illicit drugs to Boko Haram fighters. The arrest was made as part of efforts to sever the flow of supplies and support to armed groups in the region, a tactic that has been repeatedly exploited by terror networks to sustain their fighters. The suspect was taken into custody as troops continue investigations into her alleged role in the criminal supply chain.
The military’s successes extend beyond targeted arrests. In coordinated offensives conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY V, troops have engaged insurgent elements in multiple theatres, particularly across Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains. In these operations, forces confronted planned ambushes, responding aggressively and disrupting enemy movements. During one engagement on January 22, 2026, soldiers neutralised at least a dozen Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, including two commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, while thwarting an attempted ambush involving roadside improvised explosive devices. Firearms, ammunition and other equipment were seized during the engagements, further degrading the enemy’s combat potential.
In addition to direct combat operations, troops have continued to compel lower-ranking fighters to lay down their arms. In earlier offensives in Borno State, sustained operations along the Azir–Wajiroko axis forced at least 11 terrorists to surrender, along with their AK-47 rifles and assorted ammunition, as part of clearance and fighting patrols aimed at eroding insurgent strength and morale. These actions, which took place in January, form part of a broader offensive strategy focused not only on battlefield confrontations but also on persuading isolated elements to abandon the conflict.
The disruption of terrorist logistics has also involved uncovering and neutralising dangerous devices intended to harm soldiers and civilians alike. In previous operations conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY IV and V, troops discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the Damboa–Komala road in Borno State. The device was found during a routine main supply route patrol, and its removal undoubtedly prevented potential casualties among troops and civilians using the artery.
Complementing the elimination of explosive threats, Nigerian forces have intercepted vehicles thought to be transporting supplies for insurgent groups. Earlier operations saw a Lagos-registered vehicle intercepted along the Maiduguri–Bama Road that was suspected of conveying food items and energy drinks destined for militants around the Kirawa Ward. The vehicle, its occupants and the goods were seized, and the case was referred to military intelligence for further action.
The success of these operations, officials say, is a testament to enhanced intelligence gathering and improved coordination among security units, including regular patrols, checkpoints and civil-military collaboration. The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilante groups have played a supporting role by providing tips and terrain familiarity that have helped troops identify suspicious movements and criminal routes otherwise difficult to monitor.
Military authorities emphasise that degrading logistics and support networks is crucial to undermining the operational capabilities of terror groups, which have adapted to a decentralised threat environment following years of counter-insurgency efforts. Severing access to essential supplies such as drugs, food, communication tools, explosives and other materials limits the ability of insurgents to sustain prolonged engagements or rebuild depleted forces.
Experts and analysts note that the continued pressure exerted through Operation DESERT SANITY V reflects a strategic shift toward targeting the lifelines of terror factions rather than relying solely on direct military engagement. By disrupting supply chains and arresting collaborators — including those who provide drugs, fuel, weapons or transportation — Nigerian forces are addressing the root mechanisms that allow insurgent cells to survive in isolated enclaves.
While the operations have yielded tangible results, challenges remain. The terrain of the North East, characterised by dense forests, rugged mountains and porous borders, continues to offer opportunities for insurgents to relocate or attempt to rebuild. In response, the military has pledged to sustain pressure, enhance reconnaissance and leverage community cooperation to prevent the re-establishment of criminal networks.
Beyond kinetic operations, authorities have underscored the importance of stabilisation efforts — such as restoring essential services, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and promoting economic opportunities — in eroding the social conditions exploited by extremists. The combination of security gains and community resilience, they argue, will be essential to forging lasting peace in the North East.
For local populations who have endured years of violence, the recent successes offer a measure of hope that the momentum against terror elements can translate into safer towns and highways, fewer forced displacements, and renewed economic activity. The military leadership, however, cautions that the fight is ongoing and that continued vigilance is needed from all stakeholders to ensure that gains are preserved and deepened in the coming months.
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