In a decisive show of force, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled multiple coordinated terrorist attacks across key locations in the North East, neutralising over 50 insurgents and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), the terrorists launched simultaneous assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko — spanning Sector 1 in Borno State and Sector 2 in Yobe State — between midnight and 0400 hours on Wednesday, 23 October 2025.
Despite the intensity of the attacks, the troops reportedly stood their ground, engaging the enemy with superior firepower in a fierce but disciplined response that ended in overwhelming victory for the Nigerian forces.
“Troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive, and bloody blow,” the statement read.
The operation was bolstered by precision airstrikes from the Air Component Command of OPHK, which worked in tandem with Theatre Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to track, identify, and engage hostile elements. The combined ground and air onslaught decimated several terrorist formations and disrupted their escape routes.
Recovered items from the encounter include 38 AK-47 rifles, 7 PKT machine guns, 5 RPG tubes, 2 GPMGs, and several hand grenades, along with thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition. Intelligence reports indicate that the attackers who struck Dikwa and Gajibo infiltrated from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko originated from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist stronghold.
Though a number of gallant soldiers sustained injuries during the engagements, the statement confirmed that they are in stable condition and receiving adequate medical attention. Some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were also damaged by fire resulting from RPG blasts and armed drone strikes during the assault, particularly when parts of the defences were briefly breached.
Meanwhile, ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are continuing pursuit operations to track down and neutralise fleeing terrorists, including over 70 wounded combatants attempting to escape the battlefield.
The Military High Command has lauded the courage, professionalism, and renewed momentum of the troops, describing their performance as “a testament to the Nigerian Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s territorial integrity.”
The statement further reaffirmed that the ongoing deployment of additional personnel and critical combat enablers into the North East Theatre has significantly enhanced the operational capacity of OPHK, boosting troop morale and sustaining the momentum against insurgent elements.
As the counterterrorism campaign intensifies, the military reiterated its determination to eradicate all threats to peace and stability in the region, urging citizens to continue to support the ongoing operations through timely intelligence sharing and cooperation