Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have eliminated more than 20 terrorists during a fierce and sustained encounter with insurgents in the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State.
The Joint Task Force, North East, said the operation recorded major gains but came at a heavy cost, as some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the fighting.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said troops have continued an aggressive advance into the Timbuktu Triangle, degrading terrorist networks entrenched in the area.
According to him, the ongoing offensive is focused on clearing and dominating key terrorist enclaves, including Tergejeri, Chiralia and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
“As troops advanced, they made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements. These encounters were met with heavy volumes of fire, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists,” Uba said.
He explained that while consolidating at a harbour area about six kilometres north of Chilaria on January 20, 2026, troops came under attack from two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
“Through vigilance and swift action, one of the VBIEDs was successfully neutralised. However, the second VBIED breached the defensive position and affected some logistics platforms,” he said.
Uba added that during the attack, some gallant soldiers and CJTF members paid the supreme price, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for treatment.
He noted that Nigerian Air Force platforms from the Air Component, working alongside other Nigerian Army air assets, provided continuous overwatch during the evacuation to ensure the safety of ground troops, who continued to engage and neutralise terrorist elements.
In a further indication of the terrorists’ losses, troops later uncovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 bodies believed to be those of terrorists killed during previous encounters in the Timbuktu Triangle and buried by their fleeing associates.
“This discovery clearly exposes the extent of terrorist casualties and further discredits the propaganda narratives often pushed by these groups,” Uba said.
The military said the security situation across the North-east remains generally stable, with troop morale and combat efficiency high.
Uba reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to sustaining pressure on fleeing terrorists, protecting civilians, dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security in the region.