Troops repel terrorist attacks in Adamawa, Borno, neutralise scores

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in parts of Adamawa and Borno states, neutralising scores of insurgents during follow-up operations, the military has said.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the task force, Lieutenant SA Atokolo, said the attacks occurred in the early hours of January 16, 2026.

According to the statement, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, under Sector 4 of Operation HADIN KAI.

The troops at the location swiftly engaged the attackers, with reinforcements deployed from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The assault was successfully repelled without any casualty to troops or loss of equipment.

The military said the area was later cleared and scanned for improvised explosive devices and possible booby traps to ensure the safety of both civilians and security personnel.

On the same day, terrorists also launched what the military described as a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base Azir in Borno State. Although the attackers attempted to breach part of the defensive perimeter, they were met with sustained fire from troops, supported by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.

After a firefight that lasted over an hour, the terrorists were forced to withdraw. During the encounter, rocket-propelled grenade fire affected some troop-carrying vehicles and partially damaged the CCTV control room. However, the troops maintained control of the base.

Items recovered from the attackers included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosive devices, heavy machine-gun ammunition and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The military said intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms tracked the fleeing terrorists, leading to follow-up air strikes along their withdrawal routes. The Nigerian Air Force platforms carried out precision strikes that neutralised additional scores of the insurgents, further degrading their fighting capacity.

Lieutenant Atokolo said evidence from post-operation exploitation confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties. He added that Operation HADIN KAI troops remain committed to denying terrorists freedom of action, dismantling their networks and securing the North-East region.

Operations, he said, are ongoing until all threats are eliminated.