Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised six terrorists in Borno State. They arrested 11 suspected collaborators. They also received the surrender of a member of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. The Joint Task Force North-East conducted the operations under Operation Hadin Kai. They targeted fighters and support networks in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas. The operational report was made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
Boko Haram has fought an insurgency since 2009. The conflict has killed over 35,000 people. ISWAP split from Boko Haram in 2016. It has become the dominant group in the Lake Chad Basin. The military has conducted repeated operations. In 2023, troops killed several commanders. In 2024, ISWAP launched a series of attacks. The group remains resilient. It uses improvised explosive devices. It attacks soft targets. Defections have increased in recent months. The military has encouraged fighters to surrender.
Troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison ambushed suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga. The ambush occurred at about 12:37 am on 25 October. Six terrorists were neutralised. Troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. They also recovered two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
In a follow-up raid in Benisheikh, Kaga, troops arrested six suspected collaborators. The raid occurred at about 6:20 am on 24 October. The arrests brought the total number of suspects in custody to 11. Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, 169 rounds of ammunition, three terrorist uniforms, a turban, a head mask, phones and charms.
Troops of the 192 Battalion received a JAS member who surrendered at Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Gwoza. The surrender occurred at about 9:20 pm on Saturday. Preliminary investigation indicated the individual escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains. He surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of ammunition. He is in custody undergoing investigation.
Winners: The military, which demonstrates capacity. Communities in Kaga and Gwoza, which gain temporary relief. The defector, who chooses peace. The 11 arrested, if they cooperate. Losers: The six neutralised terrorists. The terrorist networks, which lose operatives and equipment. The collaborators, who face prosecution. Civilians, who remain at risk.
Bottom Line: Six killed. Eleven arrested. One surrendered. The operations are working. The insurgency is not over. The military must sustain the pressure.