Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigerian military forces under the Joint Task Force (North East) known as Operation Hadin Kai have reported a significant security success in Borno State, neutralising 16 insurgents, freeing 11 kidnapped civilians and arresting individuals suspected of supplying logistics to terrorist networks, according to a military statement released on Wednesday. The sequence of operations underscores a concerted effort by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to degrade the capabilities of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated extremist groups in the north‑eastern region.
The military’s announcement, attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, detailed that the operations stemmed from an initial defence against an insurgent attack on a Forward Operating Base in Auno on February 5. In that encounter, troops successfully repelled the assault on the base with coordinated defensive actions. Following that repelled attack, Nigerian forces conducted a follow‑on offensive on February 9 along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area, engaging insurgents withdrawing from the battlefield. In the subsequent engagement up to the Gidan Kaji axis, 16 insurgents were neutralised, while others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds.
In addition to combat operations, personnel involved in the offensive recovered more than twenty bicycles along with a large cache of logistics and weapon supplies. These items are understood to be critical to sustaining insurgent mobility and operations across rural terrain, where informal routes and non‑mechanised transport remain integral to terrorist group logistics.
The counter‑offensive also included the apprehension of individuals suspected to be part of the insurgents’ logistical support network. According to the military statement, these suspects were intercepted around the Bukarti axis while conveying a large quantity of drugs believed to be intended for the use of terrorist elements. The arrests are seen by security officials as part of an effort to disrupt the broader support structures that enable insurgent operations, including the supply of food, medication, transport and other critical materials.
In parallel moves, soldiers operating under Operation Hadin Kai thwarted additional terrorist activities during the same period. In one instance along the Buratai‑Kamuya road, troops intercepted a suspected kidnapping attempt, prompting the assailants to abandon their captives and withdraw after military units pursued them. Two captives, identified in public briefings as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families in Buratai. Furthermore, when responding to a distress call along the Chibok‑Damboa axis on the same day, troops successfully rescued nine additional kidnapped victims, bringing the total number of hostages freed to 11.
The series of operations reflect a broader strategic posture by Nigeria’s military to apply persistent pressure on insurgent enclaves and disrupt their operational freedom in north‑eastern Nigeria. Borno State, long a centre of violence linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP, has remained the focal point of Nigeria’s largest and most protracted internal security challenge. These extremist factions have waged an insurgency since 2009, aiming to establish control over territory and influence local populations through terror and coercion, a campaign that has displaced millions and destabilised entire communities. While territory once held by these groups has been reduced through sustained military pressure, remnants of the insurgency continue to pose threats through sporadic attacks, ambushes, kidnappings and logistical networks that reach deep into rural areas.
Analysts familiar with the theatre of operations have observed that the military’s approach, particularly under Operation Hadin Kai, increasingly blends conventional force engagements with community‑based intelligence gathering and collaboration with local defence structures. The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), comprised of local volunteers with intimate knowledge of the terrain and insurgent movements, has been a key partner in recent operations, often operating alongside regular troops during offensive and defensive actions. Their involvement in the counter‑offensive along the Komala axis was highlighted in the military communique, reinforcing the role of local support in amplifying the effectiveness of security forces.
Despite recent operational gains, Nigeria’s authorities acknowledge that the insurgency has not been eradicated and that militant factions retain the capacity to regroup and launch attacks, particularly in remote areas where terrain advantages and limited infrastructure can favour insurgent evasion. For residents of Borno and neighbouring states, the threat of abduction and violent attack remains a pressing concern, driving ongoing calls from communities for sustained military presence coupled with enhanced intelligence and rapid‑response mechanisms.
Humanitarian considerations also remain central to the narrative of conflict in north‑eastern Nigeria. The mass displacement precipitated by years of combat has left local populations vulnerable to food insecurity, economic disruption and social fragmentation. The rescue of kidnapped civilians, while significant in immediate humanitarian terms, also highlights the ongoing impact of insurgent activity on ordinary families, many of whom have endured repeated displacements and losses.
Government officials have frequently reiterated the importance of a multi‑pronged strategy to address the insurgency, one that combines military pressure with efforts to restore governance, facilitate development and address the socioeconomic conditions that can contribute to extremist recruitment. This strategy includes strengthening border controls and intelligence networks, improving infrastructure in volatile regions, and supporting local initiatives aimed at resilience and recovery.
The recent successes reported by Operation Hadin Kai thus form part of an ongoing narrative of contested security in Borno State. While the neutralisation of insurgents and the rescue of hostages represent tactical achievements, the broader objective of lasting peace and stability in the region remains contingent on sustained military, political and community engagement. For residents along key axes such as Konduga, Buratai, Chibok and Damboa, the consistent presence of security forces and the continued disruption of insurgent networks provide a measure of relief but do not fully erase the deep‑seated risks associated with insurgency that persist throughout northeastern Nigeria.
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