TROOPS ELIMINATE TOP SAMBISA COMMANDER, 10 TERRORISTS IN NIGHT OPERATION

Maiduguri, Borno State — February 2026

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have recorded a major operational success with the elimination of a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Abu Khalid, alongside 10 other terrorists during a night operation in Borno State.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the operation was carried out by troops of Sector 1 in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The engagement took place at about 11:00 p.m. in the Komala area of Konduga Local Government Area.

Lieutenant Colonel Uba disclosed that Abu Khalid, who was identified as the second-in-command of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest, was neutralised during the operation. He described the terrorist leader as a high-value target who played a critical role in coordinating operations and logistics within the Sambisa axis.
The successful raid came barely 24 hours after troops eliminated another notorious terrorist commander, Julaibib, in the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, further dealing a significant blow to terrorist leadership structures in the North-East.

Items recovered from the terrorists during the operation included five AK-47 rifles, several magazines, bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as large quantities of medical supplies believed to have been used to sustain terrorist activities.
The military confirmed that no casualties were recorded among the troops involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, clearance operations are ongoing across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other identified terrorist hideouts in the North-East, as troops continue efforts to degrade remaining terrorist elements and restore lasting peace to the region.