Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed 18 terrorists after disrupting a meeting of high-profile insurgents at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns general area of Borno State.
The military said the operation, conducted by the air and ground components of the North-East Joint Task Force, was based on credible intelligence gathered over several weeks on the activities of terrorist elements operating in the area.
Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to him, intelligence gathered by the troops indicated that high-profile terrorists had converged on the area, which was being used as a meeting point and logistics hub.
He said the intelligence was subjected to further surveillance and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations beginning on September 9, 2026.
Goni explained that the surveillance identified several terrorist structures and logistics hubs within the enclave, confirming its use as a gathering and support base.
He said the intelligence-led operation was eventually carried out in the early hours of Friday, September 11, after the targets were positively identified.
“Following positive identification of the targets, the air platforms acquired and engaged the designated locations with precision,” Goni said.
He added that ground troops simultaneously blocked likely escape routes and engaged fleeing terrorists.
The military spokesman said the air strikes destroyed the identified structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements, dealing a major blow to the group’s activities in the area.
He said a post-strike assessment indicated that the operation achieved an estimated 85 per cent of its intended objectives.
According to Goni, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led military action, timely surveillance and the coordinated deployment of air and ground forces.
He assured that Operation Hadin Kai would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at denying terrorists the freedom to operate, regroup or establish logistics and support bases across the North-East.
Goni also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies to assist ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist activities in the region.
