Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), achieved a major victory against insurgents in Borno State, neutralising at least 80 fighters, including three high-profile commanders.
The battle took place at Mallam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area. Operation Hadin Kai spokesman, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, identified the killed commanders as Abdulrahman Gobara, Mallam Ba Yuram, and Abou Ayyuba, alongside other insurgents including Zarkawi, Ba Bunu, Rawa Fannami, Abowor Suwurti, Bulama Mil, Abu Aisha, Suleimana, Abu Rijal, Abu Ali, Abba Gana Kawiyya, and Ahmodu Hirasama.
The insurgents, advancing on foot and supported by drones from Duguri, attempted to infiltrate the 68 Battalion’s defensive position around 12:50 a.m. but were repelled through a coordinated “offensive-defensive operation” by the troops, reinforced by precision airstrikes from the NAF and allied Nigerien air assets.
Lt. Col. Uba stated: “Through disciplined fire control, coordinated manoeuvre, and superior tactical execution, the attackers were engaged, disrupted, and routed in disarray, with no fewer than 80 terrorists neutralised.”
Recovered from the operation were 52 AK-47 rifles, 8 PKT machine guns, 7 RPG tubes, 5 GPMGs, over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, 21 RPG bombs, 9 locally fabricated IEDs, communication radios, and drone components. The military sustained minimal casualties, with four soldiers wounded.
Earlier airstrikes by the NAF on Tuesday destroyed insurgent hideouts in Abirma and the southern Lake Chad region. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirmed the precision strikes on concealed structures, significantly disrupting terrorist operations.
The operation occurred just before Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, and Inspector-General of Police Tunde Disu arrived in Maiduguri, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for security chiefs to relocate after Monday’s multiple suicide attacks that left 23 dead and 108 injured.
In Maiduguri, the CDS urged local communities to take ownership of the fight against insurgency, highlighting the insurgents’ increasing use of technology such as drones and the military’s adaptation with countermeasures like drone jammers.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) called for sustained vigilance and coordinated security efforts, expressing shock over the attacks and pledging support to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.
This operation represents a significant disruption to insurgent command structures in Borno and demonstrates ongoing collaboration between the military, air force, and local communities.
