Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), under Operation Desert Sanity and Siege Operations, have eliminated 12 terrorists and thwarted attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram on troops location in the Kirawa axis of Sector 1 OPHK Area of Responsibility in the early hours of Friday, 22 May, 2026.
Its Media Information Officer Lt-Col. Sani Uba in a statement issued Saturday revealed that a number of terrorists attempted to infiltrate positions held by troops of 153 Task Force Battalion and associated forces along the Nigeria–Cameroon border axis.
He explained that the attack was swiftly detected and met with overwhelming firepower from alert troops and CJTF, who held their ground and contained the assault.
Uba added that the terrorists were forced to abort their mission and withdraw in confusion towards the Cameroon axis, sustaining heavy casualties during the engagement.
He noted: “Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance assets, alongside platforms of the Air Component of OPHK and partner forces, provided coordinated support throughout the operation.
“Following the encounter, troops confirmed the neutralisation of 12 terrorists, while several others were observed retreating with gunshot wounds, as indicated by blood trails along their withdrawal routes.”
Uba said recovered items included; AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade systems, ammunition, and a PKT machine gun, further degrading the terrorists’ combat capability in the area.