Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Bornet .k
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 18 terrorist suspects during a coordinated air and ground operation in the Tumbuns general area of Borno State, the Nigerian Army has said.
The operation took place in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 2026, at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns area of Borno State, according to Captain Mohammed Goni, acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai.
The military said the operation targeted what it described as a meeting point and logistics hub used by high-profile terrorist elements operating within the islands of the Tumbuns area.
Captain Goni said the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering indicating that terrorist figures had converged at the location. The information was later subjected to further surveillance and confirmation by the theatre command.
According to the military, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities began on 9 September and identified several structures and logistics points being used by the armed group.
The Army said the surveillance confirmed that Tumbunma Baba was being used as a gathering point and support base for terrorist activities in the North-East theatre.
Following what it described as positive identification of the targets, air platforms were deployed to strike designated locations, while ground troops occupied likely escape routes around the area.
The coordinated operation involved both air and ground components of Operation Hadin Kai. The military said the approach was intended to prevent suspects from fleeing after the air strikes.
Captain Goni said the targeted structures were destroyed during the strikes and that more than 18 terrorist elements were neutralised.
The claim has not been independently verified, and the military did not release the identities of those killed. It also did not provide details of any weapons, vehicles or other materials recovered during the operation.
No civilian casualties were mentioned in the military statement. The Tumbuns area, which includes difficult-to-access islands and waterways around Lake Chad, has long been used by insurgent groups as a refuge, transit route and logistical corridor.
The Nigerian military has carried out repeated operations in the area as part of efforts to weaken insurgent networks linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, known as ISWAP.
The Tumbuns region is strategically important because of its terrain. The network of islands, marshland and waterways can make conventional military operations difficult and gives armed groups opportunities to regroup or move supplies.
For years, the area has been associated with insurgent camps, food supplies, weapons storage and the movement of fighters. Military operations in the region have often relied heavily on surveillance, air power and coordinated ground action.
Captain Goni said the latest operation dealt a significant blow to terrorist activities in the area by disrupting logistics and reducing the group’s ability to use the enclave as a meeting and support base.
He said a post-strike assessment indicated that the operation achieved about 85 per cent of its intended objectives.
The military did not disclose the specific criteria used in reaching that assessment. It also did not say whether any suspected leaders were among those killed or whether further operations were under way in the area.
Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s principal counter-insurgency operation in the North-East. It operates across Borno and other states affected by the long-running Boko Haram insurgency and related extremist violence.
The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions since it began more than a decade ago. Although security forces have regained control of many communities previously held by insurgents, attacks on troops, civilians, farmers and travellers continue in some areas.
Borno State remains the centre of the conflict. Communities in remote parts of the state have faced attacks, abductions, ambushes and restrictions on movement, while displaced people continue to depend on humanitarian assistance.
The military has increasingly emphasised intelligence-led operations as part of its strategy. Such operations aim to identify insurgent movements, gathering points and supply routes before launching targeted action.
Officials say the approach is designed to reduce the freedom of armed groups to establish camps, recruit fighters, transport equipment and plan attacks against civilian communities and security personnel.
The use of air assets alongside ground troops has become a major feature of operations in the North-East. Air strikes can reach remote locations, while troops on the ground can secure surrounding routes and conduct follow-up action.
However, security operations in conflict zones also require careful intelligence and strong safeguards for civilians. Rights groups and affected communities have repeatedly called for credible investigations whenever civilians are harmed during military operations.
The Army said Friday’s operation showed the importance of timely intelligence and coordinated action by different components of the force.
Captain Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would continue intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorist groups the ability to operate, regroup or establish support infrastructure across the theatre.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies. Local information can be important in identifying suspicious movement and helping security forces respond to threats.
Residents have often been encouraged to report suspected terrorist activity through recognised security channels rather than confronting armed groups or spreading unverified information.
The military’s announcement will be viewed as a potentially significant development in the continuing campaign against insurgency in the North-East. But the long-term impact of the operation will depend on whether security forces can sustain pressure on remaining networks and protect communities from retaliation.
For people living in Borno’s conflict-affected communities, military successes are measured not only by the number of suspects killed but by whether they bring safer roads, protected farms, open markets and the return of normal life.
The situation in the Tumbuns area remains under close watch as Operation Hadin Kai continues its operations against insurgent groups across Borno State and the wider North-East.
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