Military Airstrikes Kill 36 Terrorists In Borno

Air Component of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have eliminated no fewer than 36 terrorists in series of intelligence-led precision strikes against terrorist concentrations in different locations across Borno State.

A statement by the Acting Military Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Captain Mohammed Goni said the coordinated air operations conducted between the night of 21 and the early hours of 22 August 2026 followed credible intelligence and confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that identified movements and concentrations of suspected terrorists.

He said the strikes successfully degraded the identified targets and disrupted attempts by terrorist elements to assemble, regroup and operate freely within the theatre.

He noted that in one of the operations, an armed reconnaissance platform detected and tracked suspected terrorists around the Aduwa axis in Monguno LGA before identifying a larger concentration within a settlement.

He added that following appropriate operational procedures and authorisation, a precision strike was conducted against the identified target.

“Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicated significant effects on the terrorist concentration with about 16 terrorists neutralised in 2 precision strikes,” he said.

Goni stated further that the platform continued surveillance of the area and subsequently detected another group of terrorists attempting to regroup away from the initial target location.

He added that a further precision engagement was conducted, with subsequent assessment indicating that the identified group of about 10 terrorists had also been successfully engaged.

In a separate operation around Buratai in Biu LGA, another air platform tracked a group of suspected terrorists gathered at a location in the area.

He said, “Following sustained surveillance and the requisite authorisation, the platform conducted a precision strike which successfully impacted the identified target taking out about 10 other terrorists.”

He explained that the operations underscore the growing effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s integrated ISR capabilities in detecting and disrupting terrorist movements before they can develop into threats against troops and vulnerable communities.

They also demonstrate that attempts by terrorist elements to conceal their movements, disperse into smaller groups or exploit remote locations cannot be relied upon to guarantee freedom from detection.

“Beyond the immediate operational effects, the latest strikes are expected to further weaken terrorist freedom of action, disrupt their command and control, and place additional pressure on their logistics and fighting formations. This forms part of the broader campaign by Operation HADIN KAI to degrade terrorist capabilities while creating a more secure environment for communities across the North-East.”

He reiterated that the kinetic pressure being sustained against terrorist networks is also complemented by Operation HADIN KAI’s non-kinetic efforts, including community engagement, strategic communication, counter-messaging, humanitarian coordination and encouragement of terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and surrender.

“The increasing number of surrenders recorded in recent weeks further reflects the growing pressure on terrorist networks and reinforces the message that there remains a credible pathway away from terrorism,” he added.

He, therefore, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue provide timely and credible information to security forces.

He said community cooperation remains essential to early threat detection, protection of lives and property, and consolidation of the gains being recorded in the counter-terrorism campaign.