Linus Aleke of Abuja
Operation Hadin Kayi Force (OPHK) has killed more than 20 terrorists in violent and sustained encounters with rebel fighters in Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State, the military has announced.
The North East Joint Task Force disclosed that although the operation recorded significant gains, it was not without sacrifices as some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the battle.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, head of media and information for Operation Hadin Kai, said in a statement that the military continues its aggressive march into the Timbuktu triangle, steadily weakening the terrorist networks entrenched in the region.
He said the latest phase of the operation is focused on clearing and taking control of key terrorist settlements, including Telgueri, Kilaria and Ajgin/Abilma general areas.
“As the troops advanced, they made intermittent contact with the fleeing terrorist elements. These encounters were met with heavy artillery fire, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists,” Uba said.
He explained that on January 20, 2026, troops were gathering in a port area about 6 kilometers north of Chilaria when they came under threat from two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).
“Due to vigilance and quick action, one of the VBIEDs was successfully neutralized. However, the second VBIED broke through the defensive positions and affected some logistics platforms,” he said.
Uba added that during the attack, some brave soldiers and CJTF members paid the ultimate price while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
He said the injured were immediately taken to the 7th Division Medical Services and Hospital by the Nigerian Army Aviation Helicopter for treatment.
He noted that throughout the evacuation process, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aviation platforms worked in synergy with other Nigerian Army Air Forces to provide continuous surveillance to ensure the safe evacuation of casualties and the security of ground forces as they continued to engage and neutralize terrorist elements.
As a further indication of the scale of losses suffered by the terrorists, troops later discovered a mass grave containing the bodies of an estimated 20 terrorists.
Uba said the bodies were buried by comrades who had been killed and escaped during an earlier encounter in the Timbuktu triangle.
“This discovery clearly reveals the scale of terrorist casualties and further undermines the credibility of the propaganda narratives often promoted by these groups,” he added.
The military said the security situation across the Northeastern Theater was generally stable, and troop morale and combat efficiency were high.
Mr. Uba reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolutely committed to maintaining pressure on fleeing terrorists, protecting civilians, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring lasting peace and security across the region.
