48 terrorists, one soldier killed in foiled attacks on OPHK troops’ locations in Borno, Yobe

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri Barely 24 hours when scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were killed in separate encounter in communities of Kukawa and Marte local government areas of Borno state, about 48 terrorists were neutralised by Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI while attempting to infiltrate military positions in Bitta Gwoza LGA of Borno State and North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State between 29 and 30 October 2026.

Unfortunately, the engagements recorded one soldier who paid the supreme sacrifice, with two others sustained minor injuries. This was disclosed on Friday in a press statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni. He said: “Troops of OPHK have dealt a major blow to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, foiling their attacks on military positions in Bitta Gwoza LGA of Borno State and North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State between 29 and 30 October 2026.

“In Bitta, troops decisively disorganised an attempted terrorist assault on the night of 29 October 2026. The combined response of ground troops and air support overwhelmed the attackers, thwarting their plan and inflicting heavy casualties. “In a related development, troops launched a successful counter-attack against a large concentration of ISWAP fighters who attacked NETTS Buni Yadi on same 29 October to the early hours on 30 October 2026.

“The approximately five-hour engagement was coordinated by the Theatre Command, with effective integration of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, alongside air and ground assets. “The decisive counter-offensive resulted in 48 terrorists killed, with troops recovering a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.

“Recovered items include 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), one 60mm mortar, 105 AK-47 magazines and two video cameras. “Also recovered were 30 rounds of 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition, 2,738 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 2,054 rounds of PKT ammunition.

“The engagements recorded one soldier who paid the supreme sacrifice. May his soul rest in peace. Also the two others who sustained minor injuries are responding to treatment. The morale of troops remains high as they sustain operations against terrorist elements across the theatre”. Goni stated. The latest operational successes according to the statement further demonstrate the troops’ combat effectiveness, operational coordination and determination to deny terrorists freedom of action.

The heavy losses suffered by the insurgents and the recovery of their weapons and ammunition Goni said, constitute another significant setback to their operational capabilities.