Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have dealt a significant blow to insurgent operations following a successful sweep through the notorious Timbuktu Triangle.
The offensive, conducted under the banner of Operation DESERT SANITY, destroyed multiple terrorist camps and resulted in the seizure of a vast cache of arms and logistical supplies.
In a statement released on Monday, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK, confirmed that the operation commenced on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Troops advanced from their harbour areas to execute deliberate, intelligence-led raids on identified enclaves in Chilaria, Garin Faruk, and Abirma.
The ground assault was bolstered by the Air Component of OPHK, which maintained persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage, ensuring ground forces could manoeuvre effectively while suppressing enemy movement.
The operation successfully degraded the functional capacity of Boko Haram and ISWAP elements in the region. During the sweep, troops recovered five AK-47 magazines, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, NATO belted ammunition, and links of 12.7mm ammunition. Communication and propaganda materials, including Baofeng radios, mobile phones, and several insurgent flags, were also seized from the camps.
In addition to weaponry, the military neutralised significant logistical assets. The recovery included diesel-powered grinding machines, numerous bags of grain, a pickup truck, and a large quantity of medical supplies. Most notably, the troops discovered and destroyed an underground logistics storage facility and a Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) dump, which served as the lifeblood for terrorist mobility in the North East.
The destruction of these facilities is viewed as a critical success in the ongoing effort to destabilise extremist networks. Military officials stated that coordinated attacks by insurgents were successfully repelled during the advance, showcasing the heightened readiness of the Nigerian forces.
The Timbuktu Triangle has long been a challenging terrain, but the success of Operation DESERT SANITY signals continued momentum in reclaiming territory and disrupting the logistical backbone of these groups.
