Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have successfully repelled coordinated attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.
The attacks occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 19, 2026, when ISWAP fighters launched multiple assaults on troops’ positions at Dusten Kura and Chara Road along the Buratai axis.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the alert troops, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly detected the terrorists’ movement and responded with overwhelming firepower in a coordinated air and ground counter-offensive.
Captain Goni disclosed that the effective deployment of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, particularly its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, alongside precision strike platforms of the Nigerian Air Force, played a decisive role in thwarting the attacks.
He explained that the seamless integration of air and ground operations disrupted the terrorists’ assault, inflicted significant casualties on the attackers and forced them to retreat in disarray.
“The precision air support integrated seamlessly with ground forces, disrupted the terrorists’ assault and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, forcing them to flee in confusion,” the statement noted.
The military further revealed that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the encounter, while the terrorists suffered substantial losses in both personnel and equipment.
The successful operation, according to the Theatre Command, highlights the high level of combat readiness of Operation Hadin Kai troops and the growing synergy between the air and land components in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the North-East.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to denying insurgents freedom of action, protecting lives and property, and restoring lasting peace in the region.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its resolve to sustain aggressive offensive operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and ensuring long-term security and stability across the North-East.
