Troops of Operation HADIN KAI Foil Coordinated Terrorist Attacks, Neutralise Scores in Follow-Up Operations

Maiduguri, Nigeria — 16 January 2026

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully foiled coordinated terrorist attacks across parts of Adamawa and Borno States, inflicting heavy losses on fleeing terrorists during robust follow-up operations.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant S. A. Atokolo, the first incident occurred in the early hours of 16 January 2026 when terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, under Sector 4 OPHK.

Alert and battle-ready troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by timely reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The coordinated response overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the attack and retreat in disarray. No casualties or loss of equipment were recorded on the side of the troops.

In a related development on the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State. The attackers initially attempted to breach sections of the defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from gallant troops. The defence was further reinforced by close air support from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.

After a prolonged firefight lasting over an hour, the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw, abandoning weapons and equipment. Troops recovered several items from the fleeing terrorists, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated improvised explosive devices, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Precision air strikes by Nigerian Air Force platforms during the pursuit phase led to the neutralisation of additional scores of terrorists, further degrading their fighting capability.

The successful operations underscore the continued resolve and synergy of ground and air forces under Operation HADIN KAI to deny terrorist groups freedom of action and ensure the safety and security of communities across the North East.