Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have thwarted a terrorist attack, neutralised five insurgents, and rescued three abducted children during coordinated operations conducted between 20 and 21 February 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement by the the Media Information Officer, OPHK Headquarters, Lt. Sani Uba, on Saturday.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1 made contact with suspected JAS/ISWAP terrorists while on a fighting patrol around Sabsawa village in Borno State.
The troops responded with what the military described as “overwhelming firepower,” forcing the insurgents to retreat in disarray.
Following an exploitation of the area, five terrorists were confirmed neutralised.
In a separate operation, troops deployed at Ngurosoye rescued three children, Abba Abba 12, Fatima Abba 8, and Aisha Abba 6, during a patrol in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children were abducted about two months ago along the Gubio axis by suspected terrorists before being moved to Bula-Daloye.
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The rescued children have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action.
Meanwhile, troops also recorded the surrender of an 18-year-old terrorist suspect, identified as Abubakar Abubakar, in Geidam, Yobe State. He is currently in custody undergoing profiling.
Across other sectors of the operation, troops maintained what the military described as an aggressive posture, conducting offensive missions in collaboration with hybrid forces, vigilantes, and local hunters to deny terrorists freedom of movement.
The operations were reported to be largely hitch-free, with ongoing exploitation and surveillance continuing across the theatre.
The military high command commended the troops for their sustained morale and combat efficiency, assuring that pressure on terrorist elements would be maintained until lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the North-East region.
