Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have dealt a major blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and successfully captured and demolished three notorious detention facilities hidden deep within the Timbuktu Triangle.
The breakthrough, achieved during the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V, marks a significant territorial gain for security forces in a region long considered a high-risk insurgent stronghold spanning Borno and Yobe states.
The offensive, which intensified over the last two weeks, utilised intelligence-led manoeuvres to penetrate the dense forested terrain of the Gujba Local Government Area. Military officials report that the sheer pressure of the advancing troops forced terrorist elements to abandon these critical facilities. Preliminary assessments reveal that the destroyed camps had the capacity to hold up to 300 detainees, serving as a central hub for ISWAP’s coercive operations and ransom-based funding.
The intensity of the military’s push resulted in a massive prison break, with over 70 captives managing to flee during the heat of battle. Many of these survivors have since resurfaced in villages such as Goniri, Buratai, and Mandaragirau.
Among those who escaped is Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, a native of Biu LGA abducted in late 2025. He recounted his harrowing experience, noting that he seized the opportunity to flee while terrorists were locked in a fierce gun duel with the approaching Nigerian troops.
The tactical engagement resulted in heavy casualties for the insurgents. Military sources confirmed that at least 32 fighters were neutralised during the encounters, including high-ranking leaders identified as two Qaids and three Munzirs. Following the area’s clearance, the detention centres were levelled to prevent the site from being reoccupied or reused by the group.
Beyond the immediate tactical success, the destruction of these facilities is expected to have a ripple effect on ISWAP’s internal enforcement. By dismantling the group’s ability to hold civilians for ransom, the military has significantly constricted the terrorists’ financial streams and psychological grip on the local population.
While the Theatre of Operations remains unpredictable, military leadership expressed satisfaction with the high morale and combat effectiveness of the troops, reaffirming their commitment to denying safe havens to terrorist elements across the North East.
