By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States, in what has been described as the biggest blow against insurgents in 2025.
The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area.
Lt-Col. Sani Uba, Spokesperson of Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), said in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri that the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists.
“In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,” Uba stated.
He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations.
According to him, troops also recovered 38 AK-47rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.
“The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,” Uba added.
He disclosed that over 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground troops, with the Air Component maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.
Intelligence reports, he said, indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.
Colonel Uba said some gallant troops sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were gutted by fire following RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.
He noted that despite the heavy onslaught, the troops maintained control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes with renewed strength and professionalism.
“The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops.
“Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity,” he added.
Security analysts described the coordinated defeat of the terrorists across multiple fronts as the single largest operational success against insurgents in 2025, marking a major turning point in the counter-terrorism campaign in the North East.
