Air platforms of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have neutralised scores of terrorists in a series of intelligence-led precision strikes conducted across Borno State.
The coordinated air operations, carried out between the night of 21 August and the early hours of 22 August 2026, targeted terrorist concentrations in Monguno and Biu Local Government Areas following credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
In the Aduwa axis of Monguno LGA, an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement. Following the necessary operational procedures and authorisation, air assets conducted two precision strikes on the target.
Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated that about 16 terrorists were neutralised.
The air platform continued surveillance of the area and later detected another group attempting to regroup away from the initial target location. A further precision engagement was carried out, with about 10 terrorists reportedly neutralised.
In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu LGA, another OPERATION HADIN KAI air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location in the area. Following sustained surveillance and the requisite authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike, neutralising about 10 terrorists.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrated the growing effectiveness of its integrated ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they could develop into threats against troops and vulnerable communities.
It noted that the sustained kinetic pressure was expected to weaken terrorist freedom of action, disrupt their command and control structures, and place additional pressure on their logistics and fighting formations.
According to the military, the air strikes form part of a broader campaign to degrade terrorist capabilities while creating a safer environment for communities across the North-East.
The military added that the kinetic operations were being complemented by non-kinetic efforts, including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination and encouragement for terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and surrender.
Operation HADIN KAI urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security forces, stressing that community cooperation remained vital to early threat detection and the protection of lives and property.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated operations against terrorist networks while supporting efforts to restore peace, security and normal socio-economic activities across the North-East.
