By Zakaa Lazarus
Air component of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised no fewer than 36 terrorists in a series of intelligence-led precision strikes across Borno State between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, 2026.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Saturday.
He said the coordinated air operations followed credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions that identified movements and concentrations of suspected terrorists.
According to him, an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists around the Aduwa axis in Monguno Local Government Area before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement.
Following authorisation, a precision strike was conducted. A subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated that about 16 terrorists were neutralised in 2 strikes.
The platform continued surveillance and detected another group attempting to regroup away from the initial target location. A further precision engagement was conducted, with assessment indicating that about 10 terrorists were successfully engaged.
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, another OPHK air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location. After sustained surveillance and requisite authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike which eliminated about 10 other terrorists.
Captain Goni said the operations underscore the growing effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s integrated ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they develop into threats against troops and vulnerable communities.
He added that the strikes are expected to further weaken terrorist freedom of action, disrupt command and control, and place additional pressure on logistics and fighting formations.
The officer noted that the kinetic pressure is complemented by non-kinetic efforts including community engagement, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination and encouragement for terrorists to surrender. He said the increasing number of surrenders recorded in recent weeks reflects the growing pressure on terrorist networks.
“The Joint Task Force urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security forces. Community cooperation remains essential to early threat detection and consolidation of gains in the counter-terrorism campaign,” he stated.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated operations against terrorist networks to restore peace, security and normal socio-economic activity across the North-East.
