By Fatima Saka
The Nigerians Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists in the Kirawa axis along the Nigeria–Cameroon border, neutralising at least 12 insurgents in the process.
According to a press statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of OPHK, the attempted infiltration occurred in the early hours of May 22, 2026, targeting positions held by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and associated forces in Sector 1 of the operational theatre.
The statement disclosed that the insurgents attempted to breach the defensive lines but were swiftly detected by vigilant troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who responded with overwhelming firepower, effectively containing the assault.
“The terrorists were forced to abort their mission and withdrew in disarray towards the Cameroon axis after suffering heavy casualties,” the statement noted.
It added that coordinated support from Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, as well as the Air Component of OPHK and partner forces, played a critical role in the successful operation.
Following the encounter, troops confirmed the neutralisation of 12 terrorists, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds, as evidenced by blood trails along their withdrawal routes.
Recovered items from the scene include AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, a PKT machine gun, and assorted ammunition, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the террорист group in the area.
Troops, alongside the CJTF, have since maintained dominance in the area, with exploitation operations ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and recover additional weapons.
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Troops Arrest Terrorist Collaborators in North-East Operations
The Joint Task Force reassured the public of its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the North East until they are completely neutralised.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry, professionalism, and swift response—describing it as the third successful engagement within the week—and urged them to maintain the momentum in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
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