Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a terrorist attack on Kukawa town, Borno State, neutralising several terrorists and significantly degrading the fighting capability and mobility of the terrorist group through a coordinated ground and air response.
Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni in a statement issued Saturday said at about 2250 hours on 28 August 2026, terrorists launched an attack on troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Kukawa.
He said the troops responded swiftly with effective direct and indirect fire, successfully repelling the attack and compelling the terrorists to withdraw towards the Cross Kauwa axis.
Goni added that during the fierce engagement, several terrorists were neutralised, while others were observed to have sustained gunshot wounds as they fled the area.
He noted: “Subsequent exploitation by troops led to the recovery of terrorist corpses, further confirming casualties inflicted on the terrorists during the encounter.
“As the terrorists withdrew towards Cross Kauwa on motorcycles, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was promptly coordinated to interdict their movement.
“Despite challenging weather conditions, the Air Component successfully engaged terrorists taking cover under trees, neutralising an estimated 10 terrorists.”
Thereafter, Goni stressed that the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets tracked about 20 motorcycles conveying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.
He said the intelligence enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, neutralising an additional 15 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles, thereby further degrading the terrorists’ mobility and fighting capability.
Goni stressed that during subsequent exploitation operations, ground troops recovered two motorcycles, neutralised an additional terrorist and recovered assorted ammunition and other items.
According to him, The coordinated ground and air action effectively disrupted the attack, interdicted the terrorists’ withdrawal and further degraded their ability to regroup or conduct sustained operations within the area.
“Following the engagement, troops were immediately replenished by air with essential combat enablers to sustain operational effectiveness and maintain pressure on the terrorists.
“Four personnel recorded no life threatening injuries during the engagement. The wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by air for further medical attention and are confirmed to be in stable condition.”
Goni stressed that troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle damage assessment and further evaluation of the encounter are ongoing.