TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI FOIL COORDINATED TERRORIST ATTACKS, INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES ON ISWAP FIGHTERS
Maiduguri, Nigeria — 17 March 2026
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully foiled coordinated attacks launched by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on multiple military locations across the North-East, demonstrating heightened combat readiness and tactical superiority.
The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of 16 March 2026, targeted troop positions at Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai, and Damboa, in what security sources described as a desperate attempt by the terrorists to overrun military formations and gain propaganda advantage.
At Ajiri Cross, near Njimtilo, terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions held by troops of Sector 1 but were swiftly detected and decisively engaged. Troops, who had anticipated the attack, adopted a coordinated offensive-defensive posture, effectively disrupting the assault and forcing the insurgents into a disorganized retreat with heavy casualties.
Similar attacks at Baga, Buratai, and Damboa were met with strong resistance as troops deployed superior firepower to repel the insurgents. The operations were further reinforced by close air support from the Nigerian Air Force component and Nigerian Army Aviation, whose precision strikes significantly degraded the terrorists’ assault formations and compounded their losses during withdrawal.
During the engagements, several terrorists were neutralized, including a key commander who led the Buratai assault, while many others sustained injuries as they fled. Despite the intensity of the firefights, troops maintained firm control of all targeted locations, although some equipment was damaged and a number of personnel sustained injuries.
Following the engagements, troops conducted exploitation operations around Baga, extending to Korochara and Garin Giwa towards the Gidan Kaje general area. The operations led to the recovery of significant quantities of weapons and equipment, including three PKT machine guns, seven AK-47 rifles, 206 rounds of PKT ammunition, 418 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, as well as multiple magazines and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs.
Other items recovered included camel bags, head warmers, a blanket, a magazine carrier, and engine oil, while three motorcycles used by the terrorists were destroyed. Troops also recovered seven terrorist corpses, while intelligence indicated that additional casualties were hastily buried by fleeing insurgents in shallow graves.
Security authorities noted that the failed attacks highlight the growing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure from OPHK forces across the theatre of operations.
Operation HADIN KAI reassured the public that all affected locations remain firmly under the control of troops and that ongoing offensive operations will continue to target terrorist enclaves and logistics corridors.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and disregard misinformation aimed at undermining security efforts, as the military reiterated its commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East)
Operation HADIN KAI
17 March 2026