Nigerian Troops Foil Boko Haram Ambush, Kill 2 Top Commanders In Borno
- Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai foiled a Boko Haram ambush along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis in Borno State
- The military said it recovered rifles, explosives, motorcycles, and communication equipment during follow-up operations in the area
- The Army said operations would be sustained across the North-East despite recent casualties in separate clearance operations
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Borno state - Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have foiled a Boko Haram ambush and killed several terrorists, including two senior commanders, during operations along the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains axis of Borno State.
The military said the successful operation dealt a major blow to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements operating in the region.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, identified the killed commanders as Basulhu and Ubaida.
How troops foiled the ambush
According to Uba, the terrorists attempted to launch a well-coordinated ambush using Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIEDs) and heavy gunfire under Operation Desert Sanity V on January 22, 2026.
He said troops of Sector 1 quickly responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists, including the two senior commanders.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) 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.
“The insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire, but impressively, troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists, including two senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida,” Uba said.
Weapons, motorcycles recovered
The spokesman said follow-up pursuit and exploitation operations led to the recovery of several weapons and logistics items used by the terrorists.
Recovered items included three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, five motorcycles, two hand grenades, two Baofeng radios, 12 AK-47 magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags, iron bars, and other IED accessories.
Uba added that troops of Sector 1 also made further contact around the Malkube area, where additional AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and communication devices were recovered.
He said two more terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, with no casualties recorded among military personnel.
Cameroon infiltration attempt foiled
The military also disclosed that another battle group from Sector 1 engaged Boko Haram and ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from Cameroon near Galakura.
According to Uba, the terrorists were forced to withdraw in disarray following the troops’ response, while additional motorcycles and equipment were recovered, further limiting the terrorists’ freedom of movement.
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Uba said troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, adding that operations would be sustained across the entire North-East region.
He noted that the military high command has commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to maintain the operational tempo against terrorist groups.
Update on recent setback in Timbuktu Triangle
The military spokesman also referenced a recent setback recorded earlier in the week during clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle.
He said troops had suffered casualties during the operation but maintained that morale remained high and that operations would continue.
According to him, troops had successfully cleared and dominated key terrorist locations, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
He explained that on January 20, 2026, while consolidating at a harbour area about six kilometres north of Chilaria, troops encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
“One VBIED was successfully neutralised through vigilance and swift action. The second VBIED, however, breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms.
“In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries,” Uba said.
Expert tasks FG to prioritise intelligence
Meanwhile, a security, intelligence and investigation expert, Dr. Yahuza Getso, called for a multi-pronged approach combining military, intelligence, and socio-economic strategies to weaken Boko Haram decisively.
He argued that the military should focus on intelligence-driven operations rather than on large-scale deployments that often have minimal impact.
Getso also stressed the importance of deradicalisation and rehabilitation programs for former insurgents.
“Defeating Boko Haram is not just about capturing or killing fighters. It’s about breaking the cycle of radicalisation. Providing education, vocational training, and reintegration programs can prevent ex-combatants from returning to the insurgency,” he said.
He noted that community engagement in affected areas is essential to regain trust and encourage local cooperation with counterinsurgency efforts.
Additionally, Getso argued that a combination of strategic military pressure, intelligence operations, and sustainable development initiatives is critical to achieving a lasting defeat of Boko Haram.
Troops uncover mass graves of terrorists in Borno
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.
Source: Legit.ng
