Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have sustained offensive operations against terrorist elements in Borno State, recording major gains through coordinated ground and air assaults across key strongholds.
The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Maiduguri, noting that the operations were conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V.
According to him, troops of Sector 2 carried out separate but coordinated engagements along the Azir Bridge (Timbuktu axis) and the Bulabulin Forest areas, with support from the Air Component Command.
He said troops, alongside elements of the Sector 2 Stabilisation Force Brigade and the Civilian Joint Task Force, successfully cleared terrorist enclaves at Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari, as well as other locations around the Bulabulin Forest and Kamadogu Yobe axis.
Uba added that troops made contact with terrorists at Malam Shiri Village, where a coordinated flanking manoeuvre led to the neutralisation of 11 insurgents, while others fled with injuries.
“All life-support structures within the enclaves were destroyed, while exploitation of the area led to the recovery of nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT anti-aircraft machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials used for improvised explosive devices,” he said.
He noted that the operation significantly disrupted the logistics and operational capabilities of the groups in the area.
Troops also engaged insurgents along the Timbuktu axis on the Wajiroko–Sabon Gari corridor, maintaining tactical superiority throughout the encounter.
According to Uba, further exploitation revealed seven additional neutralised terrorists, while blood trails and body parts suggested higher casualties.
Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, a large cache of ammunition, bandoliers and communication equipment.
He highlighted the role of the Air Component Command, which provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for precise targeting and real-time coordination.
“Precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, further decimating scores of insurgents and ensuring the success of a synchronised air–land offensive,” he added.
Uba said troops, in collaboration with volunteer forces, are conducting follow-up operations along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to consolidate gains and prevent regrouping by fleeing terrorists.
He added that the operations reflect the growing effectiveness of OPHK in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
