Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Troops of the Joint Task Force North‑East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during a precision night ambush in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, security sources confirmed on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity/Siege Operations, targeted a known crossing point used by insurgents to move personnel and supplies across the conflict‑ravaged region.
According to security analyst and counter‑insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who first disclosed the operation via his X handle, the ambush took place around 11:05 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Bazamri village, a location identified as a major transit corridor for members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Troops laid in wait for the unsuspecting insurgents, intercepting them as they moved through the area. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, and by the time the shooting stopped, two terrorists had been neutralised. Military authorities confirmed that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the engagement.
Following the initial confrontation, troops conducted a clearance operation of the surrounding area. The search yielded items believed to be logistical supplies destined for terrorist camps, including 54 packs of 80‑gram detergent, 32 packs of 500‑gram salt, and one carton of spaghetti. The recovery of everyday goods, particularly salt and detergent, suggests that the insurgents were resupplying not only ammunition but also essential commodities needed to sustain their hideouts in the bush. Salt is a critical commodity in the region, used both for cooking and for preserving meat, and its seizure represents a significant disruption of the group’s supply chain.
The ambush team reportedly repositioned after the operation and continued surveillance activities in the area, reflecting the military’s sustained offensive posture. Security sources indicated that troop morale remained high, and offensive operations across the North‑East theatre continued without interruption. The Konduga area has been a recurrent flashpoint in the decade‑long insurgency, serving as a staging ground for ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters launching attacks on military positions and civilian communities.
This latest ambush came just hours after troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the same local government area intercepted a woman suspected of being linked to terrorists. In a separate operation earlier on May 12, 2026, troops on routine foot patrol apprehended a 40‑year‑old woman, Hauwa Bulama, at about 10:25 a.m. Items recovered from her included detergent, soap, a torchlight, and five seasoning cubes. During preliminary interrogation, the woman allegedly stated that she was travelling from Gezuwa to reunite with four of her children, who are suspected to be members of terrorist groups. She remains in military custody pending further investigation.
The night ambush on May 13 also follows a significant rescue mission conducted by Operation Hadin Kai forces just a day earlier. On May 12, troops acting on reliable intelligence carried out a coordinated mission near Amuda, following an air interdiction around the Mandara Mountains. The operation resulted in the rescue of six abducted women and children, who had been seized during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. The rescued victims were identified as Aisha Musa, 18; Aisha Mohammed, 17; Fatima Yahaya, 20; Saudatu Musa, 4; Garba Mohammed, 5; and a three‑month‑old infant, Mohammed Yahaya. They were taken to a military medical facility for treatment before being reunited with their families.
The successful ambush in Konduga is part of a broader campaign by the Nigerian military to choke off terrorist supply lines and disrupt the logistics networks that sustain insurgent operations. The recovery of salt and detergent, while seemingly mundane, speaks to the military’s intelligence‑driven targeting of not just fighters but also the support infrastructure that keeps them operational in the bush. In the asymmetrical warfare of the North‑East, a sack of salt can be as vital as a round of ammunition, and the troops appear to understand this connection.
Joint Task Force North‑East has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing civilians, and restoring lasting peace across the region. The military high command has also commended its troops for their professionalism, resilience, and tactical efficiency in the ongoing fight against insurgency. The Konduga axis remains under close surveillance, and troops have been placed on high alert to respond to any further terrorist movements.
The neutralisation of two insurgents at Bazamri village may not make national headlines, but it is part of a steady, grinding campaign that has, over the years, degraded the capacity of terrorist groups to control territory and launch large‑scale attacks. For the troops who lay in the dark waiting for the sound of approaching footsteps, it was another night of duty. For the people of Borno, it was another small step toward the return of peace.
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