Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have clashed with fleeing terrorists in Borno State, neutralising an unspecified number of fighters, while some soldiers sustained injuries.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, disclosed yesterday that the encounter followed a series of clearance operations across terrorist locations, including Tergejeri, Chiralia and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.

In a statement, Uba said troops had sustained their advance into the Timbuktu Triangle, recording significant operational gains. He said soldiers made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them, leading to the neutralisation of several fighters.

According to him, on January 20, 2026, troops consolidating at a harbour area about six kilometres north of Chilaria encountered two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. He said one device was successfully neutralised, while the second breached the defensive position and affected some logistics platforms.

Uba said some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the incident, while others were wounded. He added that helicopters from the Nigerian Army Aviation evacuated the injured to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital, with air support provided by the Nigerian Air Force to secure the operation.

He further disclosed that troops later discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 bodies of terrorists killed during previous encounters in the Timbuktu Triangle.

Uba said the security situation across the theatre remained generally stable, adding that troop morale and operational effectiveness were high as pressure continued on fleeing terrorist elements.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services, working with forest guards, has rescued seven people abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in Borno State.

The rescue followed a coordinated operation that led to a gun battle inside a forest enclave. The victims were reportedly abducted on January 19 while gathering firewood near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

Sources said two of the abductees escaped and raised the alarm, while one captive was released by the assailants to convey a ransom demand of N20 million.

Acting on intelligence, forest guards and DSS operatives reportedly trekked into the forest and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee. The Commander of the Forest Guards, Hassan Modu, said the success of the operation was due to timely intelligence and close collaboration with the DSS. He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to help curb insecurity in the state.