Fresh air strikes kill 103 terrorists in Adamawa, Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army have carried out several counter-terrorism operations in the country.

The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), said it has sustained intelligence-led precision air strikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists across the Joint Operations Area in Adamawa, neutralising a total of 103 terrorists and destroying several logistics hubs and storage facilities between 10 and 18 October 2026.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East).

In the meantime, the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 27 kidnapped victims in Katsina State after engaging terrorists in a gun battle in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

Similarly, the Police Command in Kano State has arrested one suspected bandit and recovered 18 rounds of ammunition after an intensive combing of Falgore forest where security agents neutralised two suspected kidnappers.

Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, in Maiduguri, on Monday, noted that the successes were recorded through the coordinated employment of Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft (NARPAS) Regiment and Air Component assets, reinforcing the military’s resolve to dismantle terrorist networks and deny them freedom of action.

The sustained air campaign comprised seven strikes against terrorist targets around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) on 10 October, Badu in Monguno LGA on 11 October, Mairari in Guzamala LGA and an area east of Badu on 13 October, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on 16 October, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, the ISWAP Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA, Borno State, on 18 October 2026.

According to the Military, the operations reflected sustained operational pressure on terrorist concentrations, leadership structures and logistics networks across the theatre.

Again, a significant success was recorded on 18 October 2026 when the Air Component conducted a precision strike against Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

“Subsequent human intelligence (HUMINT), the Military said, confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter reportedly serving as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard.

“The intelligence also confirmed the neutralisation of Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council, alongside other prominent fighters within the targeted premises.

“The strike completely destroyed the targeted structure and key logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored within the premises.

“It also disrupted terrorist concealment arrangements within the forested area, further undermining the group’s ability to use the location as a safe haven for its activities”, the statement said in part.

Earlier, on 13 October 2026, the Military noted that the Guardian air asset tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 terrorists accompanied by several motorcycles, approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno LGA.

A subsequent precision strike on the gathering resulted in the assessed neutralisation of approximately 30 terrorists, while the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.

The other strikes during the period targeted terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.

Collectively, the seven strikes resulted in the reported neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities, significantly disrupting the group’s operational capabilities and capacity to sustain its activities.

“The sustained successes underscore the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-led air operations in degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting command structures and dismantling critical logistics networks.

“Through continued synergy among Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces, OPHK remains resolute in maintaining operational momentum, denying terrorists safe havens and advancing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North East”, the statement added.

In the Katsina operation, the victims, comprising 15 males and 12 females, were abducted from Gamji community before troops responded to a distress call on October 16, 2026.

The Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Danja said the troops, who pursued the terrorists along the Gangare-Kamba axis, engaged them with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.

“On contact, troops engaged with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their victims and flee in disarray,” he said.

He added that all 27 victims were rescued unharmed during the subsequent search of the area.

According to him, the rescued victims were profiled and handed over to community leaders for reunification with their families.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops conducting a fighting patrol around Kurba village in Kankara Local Government Area encountered terrorists riding on three motorcycles.

Danja said the terrorists fled upon sighting the troops, abandoning one of the motorcycles.

He said the operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture and operational effectiveness of Operation Fansan Yamma in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable communities across its area of responsibility.

“The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commends troops for their gallantry and swift response,” the statement added.

The Theatre Commander also reassured residents of Katsina, Zamfara and neighbouring states of the task force’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security.

The latest operations come amid ongoing military efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats affecting communities across Nigeria’s North-West region.

Also, in a statement by the police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, made available on Monday night in Kano.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Oct. 17, a joint security force during an ambush operation succeeded in neutralising two suspected bandits after they collected N10 million ransom from relatives of their kidnapped victim.

The victim was rescued unharmed, and the N10 ransom recovered.

Haruna-Kiyawa said that sequel to the earlier operation, on Sunday at about 6;30 a.m., police operatives attached to Doguwa Division in synergy with local hunters known as ”Yan Bula” embarked on intensive combing of Falgore forest and its environs for possible arrest of fleeing suspects and recovery of operational weapons.

“During the operation, one AK-47 rifle with 18 rounds of live ammunition was recovered, while one suspect was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of one Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu of Falgore village, Doguwa LGA,” he said.

He also said that during investigation, the rescued victim identified the suspect as the one who normally guarded him at night while in captivity, brought food to him and also beat him mercilessly.

He said the suspect had been transferred to the command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Anti-Kidnapping Squad, for discreet investigation, with a view to arresting his accomplices at large and recovering more exhibits connected to the crime.

He quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, as commending the gallantry and resilience of the ”Yan Bula” hunters, whose efforts continued to complement the “Operation Kukan Kura” in securing the Falgore forest axis and other communities.

The CP reassured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to fighting banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He solicited for continued support from the public through providing timely and credible information.