Troops Crush Terrorists, Recover Arms, Explosives in North-East

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under Operation DESERT SANITY and related operations, have recorded major operational successes across the North-East theatre, neutralising terrorists, rescuing abducted victims, recovering arms and explosives, and arresting suspected collaborators and criminal elements.
During sustained offensives supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), troops conducted coordinated operations in Valle, Ashigashiya and Gakara areas, where they engaged suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists with superior firepower. Two insurgents were neutralised while others fled towards the Ngoshe axis. The areas were subsequently cleared without casualties among troops.

Similarly, troops operating along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis intercepted suspected terrorists and neutralised one insurgent. Recovered items included a radio set and a mobile phone.
In another operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda corridor, troops rescued an eight-year-old boy, Abubakar Mublagha, abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community. The child was medically examined and reunited with his family.
Troops also rescued a 20-year-old abducted Fulani man, Dahiru Ahamdu, during operations around Uvaha, a deserted village along the Gwoza–Limankara axis. The victim disclosed that he escaped after intense artillery bombardments by troops hit terrorist camps, killing two insurgents and causing panic within the enclave.

According to him, he was abducted on May 8, 2026 while grazing cattle at Bororo village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State and later held captive in a terrorist hideout within the Mandara Mountains. He has since undergone medical evaluation and reunited with his family through community leaders.
A statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said troops deployed at Buni Gari, acting on credible intelligence, recovered a cache of abandoned arms, ammunition and explosive ordnance in the Magza area.

Recovered items included four 40mm RPG bombs, one 81mm mortar bomb and four 60mm mortar bombs, all safely secured by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.
In a related development, troops arrested a suspected collaborator, Kuti Muhammad, a member of the CJTF, over alleged links with terrorist elements. The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation.
Troops also responded swiftly to an armed robbery incident in Garin Gwigwi village, Biu Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed and Adamu Aliyu.

Recovered items included mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, charms, jewellery, cash, a dagger, a Quranic booklet and a locally made firearm. A Dane gun earlier reported stolen was also recovered and returned to its owner after verification.
Meanwhile, troops in collaboration with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market with six rustled cattle. The suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action across the North-East theatre.
The military high command commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience and operational successes, urging them to sustain the current momentum in the collective interest of national security.