Troops Kill 1,106 Terrorists, Demobilise 295 IEDs In Borno, Intercept Over N300m

The outgoing Theatre Commander of “Operation Hadin Kai”, Maj-Gen.Abdulsalam Abubakar, has revealed that troops killed over 1,106 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during his 17 months’ tenure.

He said among the terrorists killed were key leaders, such as Abu Bilal Al-Muniki (Abu Mainok), Malam Jidda, Amir of Ngorgore/Malumti villages, Abu Modu, Modu Dogo, Munzir of Dogon Chukun, Abu Aisha, Qaid of Tumbun Mota, and Abul Kaka.

Abubakar made the revelation yesterday before the unveiling of the incoming Theatre Commander, Maj-Gen. I A. Ajose.

He said the troops recovered over 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, in addition to the interception of over N300 million from terrorists’ financiers.

“Also, no fewer than 295 improvised explosive devices were discovered and demobilised from April 2025 to date. Furthermore, over N300 million from terrorist financiers was intercepted with no less than 758 terrorists’ logistics collaborators arrested,” Abubakar said.

He noted that when he assumed command as the 15th Theatre Commander, the mandate given to OPHK was clear: to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North East so that socio-economic activities can thrive.

He noted that the mandate speaks of normalcy, which is measured by the restoration of essential services, such as the reopening of markets, schools, and farms, and the resettlement of families in their ancestral homes.

Together, they have seen over 7,000 displaced families return to their ancestral communities, and today, communities that were abandoned for years have been reoccupied, with returned communities now present in every Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Theatre Commander said the Command witnessed the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of over 3,000 citizens from the Republic of Cameroon, carried out by the Borno State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

He noted that the exercise remains a model of what such stakeholder cooperation can deliver.

Continuing, Major General Abubakar said,” The signs of normalcy are visible; the NYSC Orientation Scheme returned to Maiduguri after more than 13 years, WAEC and NECO examinations are now written in communities like Banki and Gwoza, while trade routes have reopened and local markets have come back to life.

” Operationally, the Theatre recorded some measurable successes with the neutralisation of over 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists, including some notable key leaders such as Abu Bilal Al-Muniki (Abu Mainok), Malam Jidda, Amir of Ngorgore/Malumti villages, Abu Modu, Modu Dogo, Munzir of Dogon Chukun, Abu Aisha, Qaid of Tumbun Mota, and Abul Kaka, among others.

“Troops recovered over 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres. Also, no fewer than 295 improvised explosive devices were discovered and detonated from April 2025 to date. Furthermore, over ₦300 million from terrorist financiers was intercepted, with no less than 758 terrorists’ logistics collaborators arrested.

“‘We have also witnessed an unprecedented wave of surrenders, with a major surge this year, driven by sustained kinetic pressure and the offer of a dignified pathway out through our non-kinetic efforts. Accordingly, over 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered within the last year.

“In addition, we have protected the most vulnerable, with 638 civilians rescued from terrorist enclaves, as well as the safe rescue of all 46 students during the attempted abduction at the Federal Government Girls College Monguno, amongst others.

“In the last year, the Theatre was further strengthened structurally and technically with the operationalisation of Sector 4 to close the gap between Southern Borno and Northern Adamawa, induction of the Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, adding precision to air operations.

“Furthermore, the Military Command and Control Centre now links frontline surveillance cameras for enhanced situational awareness within the Theatre.”

He expressed appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strategic leadership and for enhancing the welfare and combat capacity of the Armed Forces.

He also extended his gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, for his guidance and for facilitating strategic international partnerships, saying that his special appreciation goes to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W Shuaibu, for his continuous direction and for reinforcing the Theatre with additional troops, equipment and combat enablers.

“To the Borno State Government, I thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his unwavering support to this Theatre, particularly the provision of critical combat enablers which include MRAPs, long range surveillance cameras and drones amongst others,” he said.

He added that these critical contributions have strengthened the partnership between the State Government and Operation HADIN KAI, and reinforced their collective resolve to defeat the insurgency, protect innocent lives, sustain peace, restore normalcy and enable the safe return of displaced persons to their communities.

In his remarks, the incoming Theatre Commander OPHK, Major General I.A Ajose appreciated the outgoing Theatre Commander, Major General Abubakar, for organising the stakeholders’ engagement as part of their transition process.

He said that, as the incoming Theatre Commander of OPHK, although the command is changing, the mandate remains to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the northeast and enable socio-economic activities to thrive.