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Abuja, July 17, 2025 – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced a series of significant operational successes by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in the North East region, including the arrest of terrorists’ collaborators, rescue of kidnapped victims, and the surrender of insurgents and their families.
Speaking at the bi-weekly media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed, were arrested in Liya, Biu Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
The duo was apprehended while receiving a waybill of 13 pairs of military uniforms and high-voltage batteries from a truck driver. Their arrest followed actionable intelligence on the illicit consignment.
In a related development, troops also arrested a 65-year-old terrorist logistics supplier, Shaibu Bulama, at the Damasak Motor Park in Yobe State on July 13, 2025.
According to Maj. Gen. Kangye, sustained military pressure led to the surrender of 16 family members of terrorists—comprising four adult females and 12 children—to troops in Bama LGA, Borno State, on July 14. Preliminary investigations revealed they fled from Bakura Jega village.
“These efforts led to the arrest of terrorist logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorist networks, and supported the safe resettlement of displaced persons,” Kangye said.
He noted that between July 10 and 16, troops, in collaboration with the Air Component and hybrid local security stakeholders, conducted aggressive kinetic operations across several locations in Borno and Yobe States.
In Borno, targeted operations were carried out in Tangalaga, Bula Marwa, Mandara Girau, Agapalwa, New Marte, Kala Balge, Lassa, Kumalia, Karma, Bama, Kukawa, Biu, Gwoza, and Abadam LGAs. In Yobe, actions spanned Gujba, Geidam, and Damaturu LGAs.
The military engagements led to the neutralization of several terrorists, arrest of 11 collaborators, and the rescue of seven kidnapped victims. Troops also recovered arms, ammunition, and safely detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Additionally, the sum of ₦17,150.00 was retrieved during the operations.
Major General Kangye reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the region, emphasizing that operational tempo would remain high to deny Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists freedom of action.