Troops Repel Kukareta Attack, Kill 24 Terrorists, Recover Weapons

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a midnight terrorist attack on Kukareta in the North-East, killing 24 insurgents and recovering a large cache of weapons.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the attack occurred in the early hours of April 23, 2026, and lasted until about 3:00 a.m., when troops mounted a coordinated response that forced the attackers to retreat.

The statement said troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists during the engagement, while follow-up operations led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.

Items recovered include 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns, two PKT anti-aircraft guns, three rocket-propelled grenade tubes, two mortar tubes, four hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.

The military said two personnel were wounded in action and have been stabilised, while an armoured vehicle was damaged during the exchange.

It added that exploitation of the battlefield is ongoing to recover additional bodies and equipment along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.

The operation, according to the task force, underscores the continued offensive against insurgent groups, with troops maintaining pressure to prevent further attacks and degrade their capabilities.