4 Terrorists Killed, Two Collaborators Arrested as Troops Intensify North-East Offensive

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Four terrorists have been killed as troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained intensified offensives across the North-East under Operation Desert Sanity V, while two suspected collaborators were arrested and another terror suspect surrendered to security forces.

The successes were disclosed in a statement on Friday signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI. He said the operations formed part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and restoring peace across the region.

According to the statement, troops working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force engaged terrorists moving from Yale towards the Sambisa Forest axis. During the encounter, four insurgents were neutralised, whiletroops recovered one AK-47 rifle, ammunition and food supplies believed to be meant for terrorist logistics. The soldiers returned safely without casualties.

The military also said troops mounted sustained aggressive patrols and clearance operations along major routes including Dambboa–Maiduguri, Dambboa–Gwoza, Goniri axis and other suspected infiltration corridors, thereby denying insurgents freedom of movement and operations.

In a separate operation at Kanama, troops arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators during a stop-and-search exercise. Items recovered from the suspects included clothing and personal effects believed to support terrorist logistics, while preliminary investigations reportedly uncovered incriminating digital materials linking them to insurgent elements.

The statement further revealed that one suspectedBoko Haram/ISWAP member surrendered at a checkpoint in Kukawa Local Government Area. The suspect claimed he had earlier been abducted and forced to join the terrorist group, and is currently undergoing profiling and investigation.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace, security and economic stability in the North-East, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies. It also commended troops for their gallantry and resilience while charging them to sustain the operational momentum.