Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded significant operational gains in Borno State after clashing with fleeing terrorists during a series of clearance operations across key enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle, the military has said.
The encounter occurred on Tuesday as troops advanced through terrorist strongholds including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas. According to the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the operations led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, although casualties were recorded on both sides.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lt Col Uba said the troops sustained pressure on terrorist elements while consolidating control of cleared areas. During the operation, soldiers engaged fleeing insurgents with intense firepower, forcing them to retreat and inflicting heavy losses.
However, on January 20, 2026, while troops were consolidating at a harbour location about six kilometres north of Chiralia, they encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). One of the explosives was successfully neutralised through swift and coordinated action, while the second breached the defensive position, damaging some logistics platforms.
“In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries,” Uba said.
He added that the wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital. Nigerian Air Force platforms provided aerial surveillance and protection throughout the evacuation process, ensuring the safety of both casualties and troops on the ground.
Further evidence of the scale of terrorist losses emerged during mop-up operations, as troops discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies buried by their associates after previous encounters with security forces.
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“This discovery exposes the scale of terrorist casualties and further discredits terrorist propaganda narratives,” the statement noted.
Lt Col Uba reassured that the overall security situation across the North-East theatre remains stable, with troop morale and operational efficiency still high. He emphasized that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to protecting civilians, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring lasting peace and security across the region.
The latest developments underscore ongoing military efforts to weaken insurgent activities and reclaim territories long affected by terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East.