Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully thwarted a major insurgent attack and rescued three abducted children during a series of aggressive offensive operations across the Northeast theatre.
The operations, conducted between February 20 and 21, 2026, resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents and the recovery of young victims held captive for months.
In a decisive encounter, troops from Sector 1 engaged a group of suspected JAS/ISWAP terrorists near Sabsawa village in Borno State while on a fighting patrol. Upon making contact, the troops engaged the insurgents with overwhelming firepower.
Following the skirmish, a search of the area confirmed that five terrorists were neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding terrain with gunshot wounds.
In a heartening development, perimeter patrol teams in the Bama Local Government Area rescued three siblings who had been held in captivity. The children identified as Abba Abba (12), Fatima Abba (8), and Aisha Abba (6) were discovered by troops deployed at Ngurosoye.
Preliminary investigations indicate the trio was abducted approximately two months ago along the Gubio axis before being moved to Bula-Daloye. The rescued children have since been handed over to the Nigerian Police for further action and reunification efforts.
The military also reported a surrender in Yobe State, where an 18-year-old suspect, Abubakar Abubakar, turned himself in to troops at Geidam. He is currently in custody, undergoing profiling.
Across other sectors, the military high command confirmed that troops remain in an aggressive posture. These forces are working in close collaboration with hybrid forces, local vigilantes, and hunters to deny terrorists freedom of action throughout the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for OPHK, praised the troops for their high morale and efficiency.
“The military high command assures the public that pressure on terrorist elements will be maintained until lasting peace and economic stability are achieved in the North East region,” Uba stated.
Ongoing monitoring and exploitation operations continue throughout the theatre to ensure the remnants of the insurgent groups are denied freedom of movement.
