Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have intensified counter-terrorism operations in the North East, neutralizing nine Boko Haram terrorists and recovering over ₦5 million ransom money during separate fighting patrols around Magumeri and Gajiram general areas of Borno State.
In the first operation, troops of 109 Special Forces Battalion, Magumeri, acting on credible intelligence, launched a fighting patrol on October 10, 2025, to intercept terrorists moving in two vehicles with 24 fighters around Goni Dunari in Magumeri Local Government Area.
The insurgents were reportedly setting houses ablaze and terrorizing residents when the troops swiftly advanced toward the objective. The terrorists attempted to escape toward Damjiyakiri village, but were pursued over a distance of approximately 92 kilometres.
Following a four-hour tactical chase, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, resulting in the neutralization of five insurgents, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
Recovered items from the encounter include one AK-47 rifle (Reg. No. 06798), five magazines (three empty, two loaded), 31 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Itel mobile phone, and one dagger. No casualties or equipment losses were recorded by the troops.
In a related operation along the Gajiram–Bolori–Mile 40–Gajiganna axis, troops mounted on motorcycles engaged another group of Boko Haram fighters near Zundur village. During the ensuing firefight, four terrorists were neutralized, and others fled into the surrounding bush.
The troops also rescued two abducted civilians — Mr. Modu Kinnami (55) and Mr. Bukar (57), both from Guzamala LGA — and recovered a blue pickup vehicle (Reg. No. GUB 327 XA), two new Tecno button phones, a jerrycan containing 30 litres of petrol, and a cash sum of ₦4,355,000.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorists had earlier demanded ₦2 million ransom and two mobile phones for the release of one of the captives’ brothers. A total of ₦5,105,000 in ransom-related cash was recovered during the combined operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), confirmed the operations in a statement issued on October 11, 2025, noting that the troops remain resolute in maintaining pressure on the terrorists and denying them freedom of movement across all fronts.
He reaffirmed that further clearance operations are ongoing to consolidate recent gains and sustain momentum in the fight against terrorism in the North East.
