The Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded significant gains in counterterrorism operations, killing 438 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters within a seven-month period.
The Theatre Commander of OPHK, North-East Sector 1, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this on Saturday during a Christmas luncheon held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Operations Conducted Between May and December
According to the Theatre Commander, the operations were carried out between May and December, as part of sustained military offensives against terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Abubakar said the troops also recovered 254 assorted weapons and 300 Starlink communication devices, which he noted were being used by terrorists for coordination and surveillance.
In addition, 366 civilians were rescued from various terrorist enclaves during the period under review.
Mass Surrenders Recorded
The army general further revealed that 881 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, alongside their family members, surrendered to troops, describing the development as a major indicator of progress in ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.
“The surrender of 881 JAS and ISWAP fighters and their families, among other achievements, underscores the steady progress recorded by our troops,” he said.
Dry Season Operations Ongoing
Abubakar noted that the Christmas celebration coincided with the military’s dry season operations, a period typically associated with intensified ground and air offensives against insurgent strongholds.
He attributed the successes recorded across the Joint Operations Area to strategic interventions and support from the Chief of Army Staff, as well as the dedication and professionalism of personnel deployed in the theatre.
Continued Commitment
The Nigerian military has maintained that operations under Operation Hadin Kai remain ongoing, with a focus on degrading terrorist capabilities, protecting civilian populations, and restoring lasting peace to affected communities in the North-East.
Security authorities say further updates will be provided as operations continue.
