Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised 16 terrorists in a coordinated ambush on a terrorist enclave in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

This is as the Nigerian Army said it also lost three soldiers in terrorist attacks that occurred concurrently at troop locations in 226 Battalion, Garkida, and 232 Battalion, Garaha.

In a statement on Thursday, the Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Maiduguri, Capt Mohammed Goni, said both incidents occurred between September 30 and October 1, 2026.

The statement read: “In a series of decisive operational encounters executed between 30 September and 1 October 2026, troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), recorded significant tactical breakthroughs across Sector 4 Area of Operations in Adamawa State.”

He said the coordinated engagements, comprising a ground ambush, a precision air strike and defensive counter-operations, culminated in the neutralisation of multiple terrorists, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the frustration of hostile incursions.

On the Boima incident, Goni said, “The operational momentum commenced in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area, where troops conducted a well-coordinated ambush against a terrorist enclave.

“The swift tactical action resulted in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists.”

The Army spokesman stated that subsequent exploitation of the engagement site led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges, thereby degrading the terrorists’ combat capability and denying them freedom of action within the sector.

“Reinforcing the ground operations, the Air Component of OPHK delivered a precision strike in the early hours of 1 October 2026.

“At approximately 4:40 am, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform detected a concentration of about 16 terrorists assembling alongside 15 motorcycles beneath a tree canopy in Sector 4,” he added.

Goni noted that following identification and target acquisition, a precision air interdiction was executed at 5:30 am, recording a direct hit.

“Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the successful destruction of the target, while a few surviving elements scattered in disarray,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said troops demonstrated defensive capability when insurgents launched coordinated attacks on troop locations at 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha.

Responding with overwhelming firepower, he said the troops repelled the assailants, forcing them to abort the mission and withdraw.

“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the fierce battle, while wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated and are currently in stable condition, receiving medical treatment,” he stressed.

He further added that follow-up exploitation and mop-up operations across the general area were ongoing.

He said the successes came amid the ongoing rejigging of the Headquarters Theatre Command, aimed at strengthening joint integration, improving operational synergy and ensuring the inclusion of relevant stakeholders in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign.

“Building on the strong foundation laid by the previous leadership, the renewed approach is already yielding operational dividends through enhanced coordination of land and air components and other supporting elements,” he said.

Goni assured that the theatre command remained committed to sustaining its aggressive posture and leveraging intelligence, technology and joint capabilities to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North-East.

“As Nigerians commemorate the nation’s Independence anniversary, the troops of OPHK remain resolute in defending the nation’s territorial integrity and creating the conditions for lasting peace, security and socio-economic development across the region,” he stated.