Troops Crush Boko Haram Ambush, Neutralise Terrorist Commanders in Sambisa Forest
- Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai announced a major success against Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains
- Two senior commanders, Basulhu and Ubaida, were neutralised alongside eight fighters during Desert Sanity V
- The operation also led to the recovery of weapons, motorcycles and explosive-making materials, further weakening insurgent capabilities
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai reported that they had neutralised two high-profile Boko Haram commanders, Basulhu and Ubaida, along with eight other fighters during a renewed offensive under Desert Sanity V.
The operation was carried out in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains, Channels TV reported.
Source: Facebook
Attempted ambush with IEDs
The Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col Sani Uba, explained in a press statement that the operation took place in the early hours of Thursday after insurgents attempted to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the area.
He stated:
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on 22 January 2026. At around 0930 hours, insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire.
“Troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralizing 10 terrorists, including 2 senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida."
Weapons and equipment recovered
According to Lt. Col Uba, follow-up pursuit and exploitation led to the recovery of several weapons and supplies. These included:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- One pump-action rifle
- Five motorcycles
- Two hand grenades
- Two Baofeng radios
- Twelve AK-47 magazines
- A Rocket Propelled Grenade charger
- Detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags, iron bars and IED accessories
He confirmed that the operation denied the terrorists freedom of action in the area.
The statement further reported that troops of Sector 1 made contact around the Malkube area in a separate offensive axis. During this engagement, additional AK-47 rifles, ammunition and communication devices were recovered. Two terrorists were neutralised without any casualties recorded among personnel.
Infiltration attempt from Cameroon
Lt. Col Uba added:
“Another Battle Group from Sector 1 engaged BHT/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura into Nigeria, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.”
The exploitation of the area also yielded insurgent equipment and supplies, including two motorcycles, further weakening the terrorists’ ability to operate freely.
Source: Twitter
Troops uncover mass graves of terrorists
Legit.ng earlier reported that troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have uncovered mass graves containing the bodies of about 20 terrorists killed during recent encounters with Nigerian troops in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State.
The discovery was made as troops sustained offensive operations across the volatile axis, further exposing the scale of casualties suffered by terrorist groups operating in the area. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to him, the mass graves were believed to contain the remains of terrorists killed during firefights with troops and subsequently buried by their fleeing colleagues.
Source: Legit.ng
