Troops Repel Terrorist Attacks in Adamawa, Borno, Inflict Heavy Losses

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in parts of Adamawa and Borno states, inflicting significant losses on the assailants during follow-up operations.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant S. A. Atokolo.

According to the statement, terrorists attempted in the early hours of January 16, 2026, to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, under Sector 4 of OPHK.

“Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force,” the statement said.

“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to own troops or equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack.”

It added that the area was later cleared and thoroughly scanned for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to ensure the safety of troops and civilians.

In a related incident on the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Azir in Borno State.

The attackers attempted to breach sections of the defensive perimeter but were met with sustained and overwhelming firepower from troops, supported by the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.

“After a prolonged firefight lasting over an hour, the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw,” Atokolo said.

During the engagement, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire damaged troop-carrying vehicles and the CCTV control room, which were partially gutted by fire. Despite the damage, troops maintained control of the base.

Troops recovered several weapons and ammunition from the attackers, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine-gun ammunition and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO rounds.

The statement further revealed that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms tracked the fleeing terrorists, enabling follow-up operations along their withdrawal routes by the Air Component of OPHK.

“Precision strikes by Nigerian Air Force platforms resulted in the neutralisation of additional scores of terrorists, dealing a severe blow to the group’s fighting strength and morale,” Atokolo said, adding that post-strike assessments confirmed heavy casualties among the attackers.

He emphasised that the sacrifices of personnel reflect the commitment of troops to safeguarding lives and property, assuring that OPHK remains determined to deny terrorists freedom of action, dismantle their networks and protect the North-East.

“Operations will continue until all threats are eliminated,” the statement said.

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