Maiduguri, Borno State — November 11, 2025 — Troops from Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the Joint Task Force North East, achieved a significant victory against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents on Sunday, rescuing 86 kidnapped civilians and dismantling a terrorist camp in Borno State.
The operation unfolded when soldiers from the 135 Special Forces Battalion, operating under Sector 2 of OPHK, intercepted a group of terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya Road near Dutse Kura. Intelligence indicated the insurgents were in the midst of abducting civilians and commandeering vehicles. In a swift response, the troops engaged the attackers, preventing further abductions and forcing the terrorists into a disorganized retreat toward the village of Mangari.
A subsequent pursuit led to a decisive clash near the insurgents’ makeshift camp, where the troops overwhelmed the fighters, compelling them to flee. Clearance operations in the area uncovered 11 rudimentary structures used by the terrorists, which were promptly destroyed. Among those freed were men, women, and children, many of whom had been held captive for an undetermined period.
“We are grateful to the Nigerian military for this timely intervention,” said one of the rescued civilians, speaking anonymously due to ongoing security concerns. “These terrorists have terrorized our communities for too long; this gives us hope.”
In the firefight and subsequent searches, the troops recovered an arsenal of weapons and logistics support, including:
- One AK-47 rifle loaded with five magazines containing 73 rounds of ammunition;
- Four PKT ammunition belts;
- Five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles hijacked by the insurgents.
No casualties were reported among the Nigerian forces, underscoring the effectiveness of their training and tactics in the volatile North East region.
Parallel Strike on Terrorist Supply Lines
In a coordinated effort, troops stationed at Mangada apprehended 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers traveling toward Chilaria. The arrests disrupted a major resupply convoy, yielding a haul of critical materials:
- Two pickup vans and one tricycle laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS);
- Approximately 1,000 liters of petrol in jerricans;
- Four gallons of engine oil;
- Two new tires for gun-mounted trucks;
- A substantial cache of medical consumables, foodstuffs, and other provisions.
These seizures represent a blow to the insurgents’ operational sustainability, as logistics remain a key vulnerability for groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP amid Nigeria’s protracted counter-insurgency campaign.
The Military High Command praised the troops for their “gallantry and professionalism,” urging Operation HADIN KAI to maintain relentless pressure on terrorist networks across the North East. “Sustain these operations to deny the enemy freedom of action,” the command stated in an official release. “Every success like this erodes their capacity and restores security to our people.”
This latest triumph comes amid heightened military activity in Borno, where insurgent attacks have persisted despite years of federal and multinational efforts. Rights groups, however, continue to call for parallel investments in community rehabilitation and economic development to address the root causes of radicalization in the region.
As Nigeria marks another step forward in its fight against extremism, analysts warn that sustained vigilance is essential to prevent the insurgents from regrouping. Operation HADIN KAI, launched in 2015, has claimed numerous victories, but the shadow of Boko Haram—responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and displacements since 2009—looms large.
