By Olayemi Esan
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, neutralising at least 26 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles during coordinated ground and air operations.
The operation followed an attack launched by terrorists against troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Kukawa at about 10:50 p.m. on August 28, 2026.
The troops responded with direct and indirect fire, successfully repelling the attack and forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
Several terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while others sustained gunshot wounds as they fled the area. Subsequent ground exploitation led to the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the casualties inflicted during the engagement.
As the fleeing terrorists withdrew on motorcycles towards Cross Kauwa, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was activated to interdict their movement.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the air component engaged terrorists taking cover under trees and neutralised an estimated 10 of them.
Meanwhile, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
Based on the intelligence, the Air Component conducted a follow-up precision strike, neutralising an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles.
During subsequent ground exploitation, troops recovered two motorcycles, neutralised another terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the coordinated ground and air operations effectively disrupted the terrorist attack, blocked the attackers’ withdrawal routes and further degraded their ability to regroup or sustain operations in the area.
Following the engagement, troops were replenished by air with essential combat enablers to sustain their operational effectiveness and maintain pressure on the terrorists.
Four military personnel sustained injuries during the engagement, although none was life-threatening. The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for further medical attention and were confirmed to be in stable condition.
Troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter remain ongoing.
The successful defence of Kukawa, the Joint Task Force said, demonstrated the capability of Operation HADIN KAI to detect, contain and decisively respond to terrorist threats through the integration of ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities.
The operation also highlighted the resilience, courage and professionalism of troops operating across the North East Theatre.
The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, said it would sustain offensive operations, intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated ground and air actions aimed at systematically degrading terrorist capabilities, denying them freedom of action and protecting communities across the region.