Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Limankara and Kukawa areas of Borno State, neutralising several insurgents and destroying their logistics and operational assets.
The military said the operations, conducted between 20 and 22 February 2026, demonstrated sustained pressure on terrorist enclaves and their leadership structures across the theatre.
In a statement, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the failed attacks reflected the increasing pressure on insurgents as troops continue offensive operations aimed at dismantling their networks.
According to him, “the failed assaults launched on the night of 20 February clearly reflect the immense pressure being mounted on terrorist enclaves, logistics corridors and leadership structures across the theatre. Through sustained offensive operations and targeted decapitation efforts, OPHK continues to deny terrorists freedom of action, forcing them into chaotic withdrawals under heavy losses.”
The statement disclosed that troops of Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V conducted a precision operation in the early hours of 22 February around Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, identified as a major terrorist logistics hub and launch pad.
Acting on weeks of intelligence supported by satellite imagery and surveillance platforms, troops advanced on the location and came under fire on approach. However, working in synergy with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, they outflanked the insurgents and cut off their escape routes.
During the firefight, 15 terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. The troops also destroyed defensive and life-support structures, set ablaze five tricycles and two vehicles used for logistics and attacks, and recovered arms, ammunition and communication accessories.
In a related incident, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base in Limankara the same night but were engaged by alert troops in a fierce gun battle.
Uba said rapid reinforcement supported by the Air Component Command overwhelmed the attackers, forcing them to retreat through the burial ground axis. He added that there were no casualties or equipment losses on the side of the troops, while intelligence reports confirmed several insurgent casualties.
Similarly, troops in Kukawa came under a coordinated multi-pronged attack from the Alagarno and Jemmu axes by terrorists mounted on gun trucks, motorcycles and on foot.
The troops mounted a strong defence and, with support from the Air Component, engaged the insurgents in a prolonged firefight that lasted into the early hours of 21 February.
The air component later conducted precision strikes, destroying one terrorist gun truck and neutralising four fighters. Surveillance platforms tracked fleeing insurgents on five motorcycles to a convergence point, where another strike destroyed the motorcycles and killed 10 additional fighters.
Following the strikes, ground troops carried out exploitation operations and recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 16 loaded magazines, three handheld radios, stretchers used to evacuate casualties, as well as shallow graves and blood trails.
The military, however, confirmed that one soldier was killed in action during the engagements, while some combat enablers were destroyed by rocket fire. The wounded personnel were evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and are reported to be in stable condition.
The statement noted that the coordinated air and land operations significantly compounded enemy losses and reinforced OPHK’s operational dominance in the North-East.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain the operational tempo in ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist combat capability and restore lasting peace in the region.
