Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigerian military forces have executed a significant counter‑insurgency operation in the northeast, uncovering and destroying multiple detention facilities used by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) deep inside the forested Timbuktu Triangle, a strategic area spanning Borno and Yobe states. According to the Defence Headquarters and statements from the Joint Task Force NORTH EAST, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the offensive led to the deaths of no fewer than 32 ISWAP fighters, the destruction of three major camps, and the liberation or escape of more than 70 captives previously held by the insurgent group.
The two‑week operation, conducted under the codename Operation DESERT SANITY‑V, involved sustained, intelligence‑led offensives that penetrated areas long considered safe havens for militants. These hideouts were situated within dense forest terrain historically difficult for security forces to access. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Officer for the Joint Task Force, said troops were able to locate and demolish three detention facilities that preliminary assessments suggested could hold up to 300 people.
“From 21 January 2026 to date, troops uncovered and destroyed three major terrorists’ detention facilities concealed within the Timbuktu Triangle forest which stretches across Borno and Yobe states,” Lt. Col. Uba said, noting that the dismantling of these facilities represents a significant operational breakthrough.
The offensive also directly contributed to the escape of more than 70 captives who had been held by ISWAP fighters. Several of the escaped detainees have since resurfaced in communities such as Goniri, Buratai and Mandaragirau. One escapee, identified as Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, recounted fleeing amid intense fighting between the insurgents and advancing troops, providing first‑hand testimony about the conditions inside the camps and the chaos that unfolded during the clashes.
During the engagements with ISWAP fighters, Nigerian forces neutralised at least 32 militants, including senior commanders—two Qaids and three Munzirs—who are believed to have held leadership roles within the group’s structure. Several other insurgents were wounded in the fighting, which underscored the ferocity of the clashes as troops advanced into previously inaccessible territories.
Following the clearance of the affected terrain, Nigerian troops deliberately demolished the detention facilities to prevent their reuse by the insurgents, a tactical decision aimed at limiting ISWAP’s ability to resume operations in these enclaves. The Joint Task Force said this action further degrades the group’s operational capacity, including its ability to hold captives for ransom, exercise territorial control, and maintain coercive leverage over local populations.
The military described the operation as a reflection of increased combat effectiveness, discipline and professionalism within the ranks of Operation HADIN KAI. “The destruction of the detention camps marks more than a tactical victory,” the armed forces said in a statement, emphasising how the offensive undermines ISWAP’s internal enforcement mechanisms and contributes to broader efforts to restore security in the northeast.
The freed captives, many of whom were reportedly held for prolonged periods, are undergoing initial debriefings and reunification with families in communities across the region. Their testimonies are expected to yield valuable intelligence that could support future operations against insurgent elements still active in the region.
Although militant violence in northeastern Nigeria has persisted for more than a decade, the latest military success reflects ongoing efforts by Nigerian troops, supported by regional and international partners, to dismantle extremist networks and reclaim territory long controlled by insurgents. Since the emergence of Boko Haram in the early 2000s and the later rise of ISWAP as an Islamic State affiliate, security forces have conducted a series of operations to disrupt militant infrastructure and protect civilian populations.
The Timbuktu Triangle campaign is one of several recent offensives under Operation HADIN KAI, a long‑running joint task force established to coordinate military actions against jihadist groups in Nigeria’s northeast. These operations have combined ground assaults with aerial reconnaissance and targeted strikes to dislodge insurgents from entrenched positions and to reduce their capacity for mass abductions, bombings and attacks on both civilian and military targets.
Despite significant progress, security analysts caution that remnants of ISWAP and other extremist factions continue to pose challenges for regional stability. The recent destruction of detention facilities and liberation of captives is expected to disrupt the group’s tactical capabilities, but experts note that sustained pressure, enhanced intelligence cooperation and community engagement remain essential to preventing insurgent resurgence.
The successes announced in early February 2026 come amid a broader series of military actions across the northeast, including operations against Boko Haram‑aligned factions in the Sambisa Forest and other strategic locations where militants have historically maintained operational bases. The continued offensives demonstrate Nigeria’s strategic commitment to degrading insurgent networks and restoring security for populations displaced by years of conflict.
As authorities assess the operational outcomes and integrate intelligence gathered from freed captives, attention is likely to shift toward follow‑on missions targeting remaining hideouts and leadership structures within ISWAP. The military’s emphasis on dismantling detention infrastructure and preventing its reuse signals a shift toward offensive operations designed to shrink militant control and deny them the capacity to exploit vulnerable communities.
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