Again, Troops Kill 24 Terrorists, Recover Weapons in N’ east

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

The Nigerian Army Thursday said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with its Air Component, Civilian Joint Task Force, and hunters, have killed no fewer than 24 Boko Haram/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-east operational theatre during coordinated kinetic operations.

A statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters, Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, also revealed that troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during the joint kinetic operations.

He stated that the kinetic operations, which took place between July 4 and 9, 2025, are a continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North-east theatre of operations.

He said: “In one of the ambushes conducted at Platari on 4 July, 2025, the gallant troops, while lying in wait, made contact with JAS/ISWAP terrorists mounted on bicycles moving from the Sambisa Forest axis to the Timbuktu Triangle. The terrorists were immediately subdued with heavy fire, leading to the neutralization of three terrorists.

“Similarly, following intelligence on the movements of the insurgents around the Komala general area, troops sprang another ambush on the terrorists, neutralizing another fighter. On exploitation of the general area, troops recovered motorcycles and spare parts, knapsack sprayers, pesticides and terrorists’ food items.

“Relatedly, troops conducted a night ambush on the same day at terrorists’ hideouts around the Kawuri general area in Konduga Local Government. During the deliberate operations, the resilient troops came into contact with the insurgents. Consequently, two terrorists conveying logistics were immediately eliminated, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents and other sundry items.

“In the same vein, troops on 5 July 2025 intercepted terrorists attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga Local Government Area. The troops swiftly engaged the insurgents, killing one terrorist, while others escaped with traces of gunshot wounds.”

He said that the troops subsequently recovered several rounds of ammunition during the exploitation of the area.

Captain Kovangiya said that in another development, troops conducted a fighting patrol to terrorists’ enclaves at Leno Kura, where three terrorists were killed during a firefight.

Also, on July 6, 2025, troops carried out a night ambush at a suspected terrorists’ crossing point along the roads in Ngoshe-Gava, Ngoshe-Ashigashiya, as well as Amuda-Gava areas, where they killed one terrorist.

He revealed that six terrorists were killed by CJTF at Ngailda, Manjim and Wulle villages during an ambush operation.

“On 9 July, 2025, troops in joint operations with the Civilian Joint Task Force also conducted a clearance operation in a JAS/ISWAP enclave at Tangalanga and Bula Marwa. After a heavy firefight, three insurgents were eliminated. Terrorists’ life-supporting structures in the camp were also destroyed completely. Troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and ninety rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during the exploitation of the area,” he said.

Kovangiya stated that the killing of 24 terrorists with close air support underscores the determination, collaboration and concerted efforts of the troops of OPHK to ensure that terrorists are put on the back foot, thereby creating a conducive environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the North-east region.