Air platforms of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have conducted a series of intelligence-led precision airstrikes against terrorist concentrations in different locations across Borno State, reportedly neutralising about 36 terrorists.
The operations were conducted between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, 2026, following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that identified movements and concentrations of suspected terrorists.
In a statement, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri Captain Mohammed Goni said the strikes degraded the identified targets and disrupted attempts by terrorist elements to assemble, regroup and operate freely within the theatre.
In one of the operations, an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists around the Aduwa axis in Monguno Local Government Area before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement.
Following operational procedures and authorisation, the platform conducted two precision strikes on the identified concentration. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated significant impact, with about 16 terrorists reportedly neutralised.
The platform continued surveillance of the area and later detected another group of about 10 terrorists attempting to regroup away from the initial target location. A further precision engagement was conducted, with subsequent assessment indicating that the group was successfully engaged.
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, another Operation HADIN KAI air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location in the area.
Following sustained surveillance and the requisite authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike that successfully impacted the identified target, reportedly neutralising about 10 additional terrorists.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated the growing effectiveness of integrated ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they can develop into threats against troops and vulnerable communities.
It added that the strikes showed that attempts by terrorist elements to conceal their movements, disperse into smaller groups or exploit remote locations would not guarantee freedom from detection.
The latest operations are expected to further constrain terrorist freedom of action, disrupt their command and control structures and increase pressure on their logistics and fighting formations as part of the broader campaign to degrade terrorist capabilities across the North-East.
The kinetic operations are being complemented by non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination and efforts to encourage terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and surrender.
The Joint Task Force said the increasing number of recent surrenders reflects the mounting pressure on terrorist networks and reinforces the availability of a credible pathway away from violence.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to security forces, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to early threat detection, the protection of lives and property and the consolidation of security gains.
The Joint Task Force North East said it would continue coordinated operations against terrorist networks while supporting efforts to restore peace, security and normal socio-economic activities across the region.
