TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI FOIL COORDINATED TERRORIST ATTACKS AT NJIMTILO, BAGA, BURATAI , DAMBOA, INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES ON ISWAP FIGHTERS

By: Our Reporter

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have once again demonstrated superior combat readiness and tactical dominance by successfully thwarted terrorist attacks launched by ISWAP fighters on multiple troops locations at Njimtilo, Baga, Buratai and Damboa. The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of 16 March 2026, were mounted from several directions in a desperate attempt by the terrorists to gain propaganda advantage and overrun military positions.

At Ajiri Cross, ahead of Njimtilo, terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions mounted by troops of Sector 1 but were swiftly detected and decisively engaged by the vigilant troops who had anticipated the move and prepared a deliberate offensive-defensive posture to defeat the assault. Through coordinated firepower and tactical manoeuvre designed to disrupt the attackers and cut off their withdrawal routes, the terrorists were routed and forced into a disorganised retreat while suffering heavy casualties. Similar desperate attacks at Baga, Buratai and Damboa were met with determined resistance as troops brought superior firepower to bear on the attackers. The engagements were further reinforced by timely close air support from the Air Component and the Nigerian Army Aviation, whose precision strikes disrupted the terrorists’ assault formations and compounded their losses as they attempted to withdraw.

During the engagements, several terrorists were neutralised, including a key leader who spearheaded the Buratai assault, while many others sustained injuries as they fled along their withdrawal routes. Despite the intensity of the firefights, which resulted in the destruction of some equipment and a number of wounded personnel, troops remained resolute and maintained firm control of all locations while continuing exploitation operations to pursue the fleeing terrorists.

Following the engagements, troops conducted exploitation operations around Baga, extending to Korochara and Garin Giwa ahead of the Gidan Kaje general area. During the exploitation, troops recovered significant quantities of enemy weapons and equipment, including 3 PKT machine guns, 7 AK-47 rifles, 206 rounds of PKT ammunition, 418 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, 7 AK-47 magazines, 3 AK-74 magazines and 3 RPG bombs. Other items recovered include 2 camel bags, 3 head warmers, 1 blanket, 1 magazine carrier and 1 litre of engine oil, while 3 motorcycles used by the terrorists were also destroyed. In addition, 7 terrorist corpses were recovered while the miscreants buried another 20 bodies in shallow graves.

These failed attacks further demonstrate the growing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure from OPHK forces across the Theatre. The successive defeats inflicted on the terrorists have significantly constrained their freedom of action and disrupted their attempts to create false propaganda narratives.

Troops remain in high spirits and continue to dominate the operational environment through superior tactical coordination, decisive firepower and sustained offensive operations against terrorist enclaves and logistics corridors. Operation HADIN KAI therefore reassures the public that all affected locations remain firmly under the control of own troops and that the Joint Task Force remains fully committed and capable of decisively defeating terrorist elements across the North East. Members of the public are also urged to remain vigilant and disregard disinformation and fake reports aimed at undermining ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI FOIL COORDINATED TERRORIST ATTACKS AT NJIMTILO, BAGA, BURATAI , DAMBOA, INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES ON ISWAP FIGHTERS

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KACRAN Applauds Buni’s Leadership, Cites Job Creation and Food Security Gains in Yobe

By: Michael Mike

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has commended Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for what it described as visionary leadership that has significantly improved job creation, food security, and overall wellbeing of citizens in the state.

In a statement signed by its National President, Khalil Mohammed Bello, the association said the desire of any society is to have a leader who prioritizes the welfare, security, and long-term prosperity of the people, noting that Governor Buni embodies such qualities.

KACRAN praised the governor’s humility and accessibility, describing him as a leader who maintains close contact with citizens to better understand their needs and challenges. According to the association, this people-oriented approach has contributed to sustained peace and unity in Yobe State.

Highlighting key achievements, the group noted that Buni’s administration has consistently invested heavily in agriculture by procuring and distributing farm inputs to farmers at subsidized rates. This, it said, has boosted food production and strengthened food security not only in Yobe but across neighboring states.

The association also lauded the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock, which it said has reinforced Yobe’s position as a leading livestock hub in Nigeria. It added that the construction of modern markets across major towns has further enhanced commercial activities within the state.

On human capital development, KACRAN pointed to the award of scholarships to thousands of students for studies within and outside Nigeria, as well as the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to improve connectivity between rural and urban areas.

The group further commended the governor for creating employment opportunities through recruitment into the civil service and various empowerment programmes targeting youths and women.

KACRAN also acknowledged the efforts of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by Mohammed Goje, in providing relief materials to internally displaced persons and vulnerable populations affected by insurgency, floods, and other disasters.

It noted that during the ongoing Ramadan, the state government has intensified food distribution initiatives, ensuring that thousands of households receive daily support as part of broader measures to cushion economic hardship.

While stressing the importance of proactive governance, KACRAN urged other state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to emulate Yobe’s approach to investing in agriculture, human development, and security in order to avert potential food crises and improve living standards nationwide.

The association concluded that sustained commitment to these priorities would promote peace, unity, and long-term stability across the country.

KACRAN Applauds Buni’s Leadership, Cites Job Creation and Food Security Gains in Yobe

CDS urges Borno, Yobe residents to take ownership of fight against terror, says enemy operating from within

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has raised fresh concerns over internal complicity in the protracted insurgency in the North-East, urging residents of Borno and Yobe to take ownership of the fight against terrorism.

Oluyede’s position, articulated after a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri, signals a strategic shift in emphasis from purely kinetic military operations to community-driven counterinsurgency, as Nigeria battles the enduring threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

The meeting, which lasted about four hours, brought together top military commanders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and other top military officials.

At the heart of the CDS’s message is a troubling reality: the insurgency is being sustained, in part, by individuals that sometimes embedded within affected communities.

According to Oluyede, intelligence reports indicate that many of those responsible for attacks over the past 15 years originate from the same communities bearing the brunt of the violence.

This assertion reinforces long-standing concerns within security circles that local knowledge terrain familiarity, social networks, and community cover has continued to provide operational advantages to insurgents.

He cited a recent example in Kukawa, where troops discovered wounded terrorists hiding within the community during post-attack clearance operations, pointing to the challenge of distinguishing between civilians and collaborators.

The dynamics complicate military efforts, as insurgents exploit familial and social ties to evade detection, making intelligence gathering more difficult despite sustained offensives.

The CDS’s call for residents to “take ownership” reflects a recognition that military القوة alone cannot decisively end the insurgency without active civilian cooperation.

Oluyede’s remarks suggest a push to recalibrate this dynamic by encouraging residents to see the fight as a collective responsibility rather than solely a government burden.

The CDS also acknowledged the evolving tactics of insurgents, particularly the increasing use of drones and other technological in attacks.

Oluyede disclosed that the Nigerian military is adapting, including the deployment of advanced drone systems to enhance surveillance, targeting, and battlefield coordination.

CDS urges Borno, Yobe residents to take ownership of fight against terror, says enemy operating from within