Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded a major operational breakthrough with the discovery and destruction of notorious Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) detention facilities hidden deep within the forested Timbuktu Triangle in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The coordinated offensive, conducted over the last two weeks, marked one of the deepest penetrations yet into territories previously considered inaccessible to security forces, underscoring the growing reach, effectiveness, and sustainability of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
Revealing details of the operation in a press statement, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the facilities were uncovered and destroyed during Operation Desert Sanity V, following sustained offensive pressure and intelligence-driven manoeuvres that forced terrorist elements to abandon critical infrastructure within their strongholds.
According to him, the operation clearly demonstrated that troops of Operation HADIN KAI have advanced well into ISWAP’s inner sanctuaries, denying the group both physical space and psychological advantage.
From 21 January 2026 to date, troops uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities concealed within the Timbuktu Triangle forest, which spans parts of Borno and Yobe states. Preliminary assessments revealed that the camps had the capacity to hold up to 300 detainees, highlighting their strategic importance within ISWAP’s operational and coercive framework.
The sustained offensive actions by troops also directly led to the escape of more than 70 captives previously held by the terrorists. Many of the escapees later resurfaced in surrounding communities, including Goniri, Buratai, and Mandaragirau, corroborating the success of the military operation.
One of the escapees, Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, a native of Kufi village near Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, disclosed that he escaped during a fierce gun duel between advancing troops and ISWAP fighters in the Timbuktu Triangle. He was abducted by the terrorists on 22 December 2025.
During the series of encounters, ISWAP suffered significant combat losses, with no fewer than 32 fighters neutralised, including two Qaids and three Munzirs. Several other terrorists were reported to have sustained serious injuries while fleeing under intense military pressure.
Following the thorough clearance of the area, the three detention facilities were deliberately demolished to permanently deny ISWAP the ability to reuse or reoccupy the sites. The operation was executed without incident, reflecting the resilience, professionalism, discipline, and combat effectiveness of troops under Operation HADIN KAI.
Beyond the immediate tactical success, the destruction of the detention camps represents a significant strategic gain. It degrades ISWAP’s internal enforcement mechanisms, disrupts its ability to detain civilians and collect ransom, and further constricts the group’s freedom of action. The mass escape of detainees not only deprives the terrorists of a key source of funding but also weakens their grip on local populations while potentially yielding valuable intelligence to support ongoing operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba noted that while the general security situation across the Theatre of Operations remains calm but unpredictable, troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements, denying them safe havens, and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.
