Nigerian military forces have killed at least 17 fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a series of coordinated operations across Borno and Adamawa states, the army said Monday.
The operations, carried out between July 23 and August 2 under the North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), also led to the safe detonation of 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by insurgents across key flashpoints.
In a statement issued by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Director of Army Public Relations for the Theatre Command, the offensive was described as a “multi-pronged assault” targeting known terrorist enclaves in Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Magumeri, and Biu local government areas of Borno State, extending to Michika in Adamawa State.
The statement noted that the operations were reinforced by precision airstrikes from the Nigerian Air Force and supported on the ground by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), with missions including ambushes, clearance operations, and the disruption of enemy logistics.
Among the materials recovered during the raids were AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and large quantities of fuel — 2,300 litres of diesel and more than 1,000 litres of petrol. Troops also seized solar panels, motorcycles, a tricycle, bags of rice, and power generators — supplies believed to be intended for sustaining insurgent camps.
Beyond the battlefield gains, the military announced the return of over 987 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes in Mandaragrau, Biu LGA — part of ongoing efforts by the Borno State government to resettle communities displaced by over a decade of conflict.
The statement also highlighted recent joint cross-border operations conducted with Nigerien troops in the Diffa–Duji–Damasak corridor — a volatile zone straddling Nigeria and Niger — in a bid to stifle the movement of armed groups across national boundaries.
“The sustained offensive operations underscore our commitment to restoring peace and enabling socio-economic activities to resume in the North East,” said Captain Kovangiya, speaking on behalf of the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The military reiterated its resolve to intensify its campaign in the northeast, promising to deny terrorist factions the ability to regroup or disrupt regional stability.
