The Nigerian Army has recorded another significant operational victory against insurgents, neutralising 48 terrorists and recovering a large cache of weapons and ammunition in Borno and Yobe States. This latest success follows the foiling of coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on military positions in Bitta, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, and the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The operations, which took place between October 29 and 30, 2026, demonstrate the Nigerian Army's sustained offensive against terrorist groups and its determination to deny them freedom of action across the North East. In Bitta, troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, successfully repelled an attempted terrorist assault on the night of October 29. The combined response of ground troops and air support overwhelmed the attackers, disrupted their advance and inflicted heavy casualties.
In a related operation, troops launched a decisive counter-offensive against a large concentration of ISWAP fighters who attacked NETTS Buni Yadi between the night of October 29 and the early hours of October 30. The approximately five-hour engagement was coordinated by the Theatre Command, with effective integration of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, alongside air and ground assets.
The counter-offensive resulted in 48 terrorists being neutralised, while troops recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition. Items recovered include 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), one 60mm mortar, 105 AK-47 magazines and two video cameras. The recovered ammunition comprises 30 rounds of 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition, 2,738 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 2,054 rounds of PKT ammunition.
Despite the operational successes, the engagements came at a cost, as one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice, while two others sustained minor injuries and are responding to treatment. The military commended the courage and resilience of the troops, noting that their morale remains high as operations against terrorist elements continue across the theatre.
The latest victories come as Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu approaches his first anniversary as Chief of Army Staff, providing further evidence of the Nigerian Army's sustained commitment to strengthening operational effectiveness, improving coordination and intensifying pressure on insurgent groups. The heavy losses suffered by the terrorists and the recovery of their weapons and ammunition represent another significant setback to their operational capabilities.
The operational successes were disclosed in a statement issued by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI. The Nigerian Army sustains its offensive operations, reinforcing its determination to restore lasting peace and security across the North East and other parts of the country.
Key points
- 48 terrorists neutralised
- Large cache of weapons and ammunition recovered
- Nigerian Army sustains offensive operations against terrorist groups
