Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded significant operational successes across the North-East, neutralising high-value terrorist targets, disrupting insurgent activities, and foiling criminal operations through sustained, intelligence-driven actions.
Confirming the developments, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said intelligence reports confirmed the killing of a top ISWAP commander identified as Julaibib during a military encounter in Borno State.
“In a significant breakthrough, intelligence has confirmed the killing of JULAIBIB, a top ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on 30 January 2026,” Uba said.
He added that the elimination of the terrorist leader has severely disrupted insurgent operations in the area. “Further intelligence revealed that the elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation. This development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region,” he stated.
In a related operation, Uba disclosed that OPHK troops, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised three terrorists during a coordinated ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.
“Following credible intelligence on insurgent movements, troops tactically laid an ambush along the identified route and engaged the terrorists with effective firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of three insurgents, while others fled with gunshot injuries,” he said, noting that two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the scene.
According to him, troops also recorded another success on 29 January 2026 at Tsokorok, Gwoza Local Government Area, where soldiers deployed in an ambush position engaged Boko Haram/ISWAP elements.
“The ambush team engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised, with no casualties recorded on the side of the troops. Two motorcycles were recovered from the scene,” Uba said.
The military spokesman further revealed that troops made notable gains in Adamawa State. He said that on 29 January 2026, soldiers responded swiftly to a distress call from Barama community in Mubi North Local Government Area, successfully foiling an armed robbery attempt.
“Two armed robbery suspects attempting to attack a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested. One suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh while attempting to confront the troops and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, for treatment,” he explained.
Recovered items, according to him, included three cutlasses, two laptops, four mobile phones and one power bank. The suspects were later handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation.
Uba also disclosed that on 28 January 2026, troops in conjunction with local vigilantes conducted a fighting patrol along the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
“During the patrol, troops made contact with terrorists and engaged them with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray. The patrol team rescued a woman abducted by the terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle with two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one SMG rifle, and 42 rounds of assorted ammunition,” he said.
Reassuring residents, Uba noted that the overall security situation across the theatre remains stable.
“The Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, remains resolute in its commitment to protect lives and property, dismantle terrorist networks, and work with local communities and critical security stakeholders to restore lasting peace and economic stability across the North-East region,” he added.
