Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have killed a top Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander and thwarted several criminal operations in Borno and Adamawa states, the force said on Saturday.
In a statement signed by Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the force confirmed that Julaibib, a senior ISWAP commander operating in the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, was killed during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on 30 January 2026.
“The elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation. This represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region,” the statement said.
The statement added that troops, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), neutralised three insurgents during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State, recovering two AK-47 rifles.
Earlier, on 29 January, troops deployed in an ambush at Tsokorok, Gwoza LGA, engaged Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, forcing them to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised, with no casualties recorded among the troops, and two motorcycles were recovered from the scene.
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The Joint Task Force also reported successes in Adamawa State, where troops responded to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, on 29 January, foiling an armed robbery attempt. Two suspects were arrested, one with a gunshot wound, and items including three cutlasses, two laptops, four mobile phones, and a power bank were recovered. The suspects were handed over to the police for investigation.
On 28 January, troops and local vigilantes patrolling the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong LGA engaged terrorists, forcing them to retreat, rescuing an abducted woman, and recovering one AK-47 rifle, one SMG rifle, and 44 rounds of ammunition.
The Joint Task Force said the general security situation across the theatre remains stable, stressing its commitment to protecting lives, dismantling terrorist networks, and collaborating with local communities to restore lasting peace and economic stability in the North-East region.