Troops Eliminate 18 Terrorists In Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly killed at least 18 terrorists after disrupting a meeting involving suspected high-ranking insurgents at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns area of Borno State.

According to Ireporter Online, the operation was carried out on Friday following weeks of intelligence gathering which indicated that senior terrorist elements had converged on the island community, allegedly using the location as a meeting and logistics hub.

The Nigerian Army said the operation involved both the air and ground components of the North-East Joint Task Force.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said surveillance and intelligence operations were intensified after security forces received information about the presence of the terrorists in the area.

Goni said further intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations conducted from September 9 confirmed the locations of several terrorist structures and logistics facilities.

According to him, the findings showed that the area was being used as a gathering and support base by the insurgents, prompting the military to plan a targeted operation.

“The intelligence was validated through further surveillance by theatre command and confirmatory ISR commencing on September 9, 2026, which pinpointed several terrorist structures and logistics hubs within the location, confirming the use of the area as a terrorist gathering and support base,” Goni said.

He explained that the operation commenced after the targets were positively identified, with military aircraft striking the identified locations while ground troops moved to block possible escape routes.

“The air strikes successfully destroyed the targeted structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements,” he stated.

The Army spokesman said the operation disrupted terrorist activities in the area by destroying key structures and degrading the group’s ability to use the enclave as a meeting and logistics base.

He added that a post-operation assessment showed that approximately 85 per cent of the military’s objectives had been achieved.

Goni said the outcome further demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led operations, effective surveillance and coordination between the military’s air and ground components.

He assured residents that Operation Hadin Kai would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations aimed at preventing terrorists from regrouping, operating freely and establishing logistics networks across the North-East.

The military also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible and timely information to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security forces to support ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist activities across the North East Theatre,” Goni said.