By Ajewole Joshua|ABNews|
The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, have achieved a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Borno State.
According to a press release issued by the Army’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2, OPHK, on 9 November 2025, encountered Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura after receiving reports that the insurgents were abducting civilians and vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road.
The troops swiftly responded, engaging the terrorists in a fierce gun battle that forced them to flee towards Mangari. In a follow-up operation near a terrorist camp, the troops overpowered the fleeing insurgents, rescuing 86 kidnapped victims, including men, women, and children.
A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 makeshift terrorists’ structures, which were destroyed after clearance operations. Recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, five magazines containing 73 rounds of ammunition, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles.
In a separate operation, troops deployed at Mangada arrested 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria. The suspects were intercepted with two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), approximately 1,000 litres of petrol in jerrycans, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, a large cache of medical supplies, and various food items.
The Army confirmed that all operations were conducted without any casualty on the part of the troops. The Military High Command commended the soldiers for their gallantry and professionalism and urged the OPHK Command to sustain the ongoing momentum to deny terrorists any freedom of action across the North East theatre.
— Nigerian Army Press Release, November 9, 2025
