• 150 abducted civilians rescued in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have foiled multiple terror attacks and intensified offensive operations against insurgent logistics networks, recording significant successes across the theatre between March 28 and 30, 2026.

In a major operational breakthrough, troops deployed at Damboa thwarted a planned Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack after detecting terrorists’ movement through surveillance systems.

The troops engaged the insurgents, forcing them to withdraw in disarray, while follow-up exploitation operations confirmed their retreat.

Similarly, the troops successfully repelled attempted attacks on farmers and communities in Gwoza and AskiraUba Local Council of BornoState, forcing the insurgents to flee towards the Mandara Mountains and surrounding areas.

Continuing offensive operations, troops uncovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along the Goniri–Ngamdu axis, intended to target troops and commuters.

Recovered materials, including rail tracks used to canalise vehicles into a killing zone, highlight ongoing terrorist efforts to disrupt movement along critical routes.

Troops also recorded major successes in dismantling terrorist logistics supply chains.

At Molai, two suspected Boko Haram collaborators were arrested while loitering within a defensive area under suspicious circumstances. Also, in Maiduguri, troops intercepted vehicles conveying large quantities of suspected terrorist logistics supplies along the Maiduguri–Mafa road.

The consignments, equivalent to two truckloads, were concealed in sacks and included cartons of medicaments, motorcycle tubes and tyres, mosquito nets, mats, air filter cylinders and detergents. Preliminary investigation revealed the items were being transported without clearance towards Kusuri, a border community near Chad.

The vehicles, drivers and items have been handed over to the authorities for further investigation.

Additionally, troops of OPHK, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives, arrested a suspected logistics supplier, Mohammed Adamu, 26, at Muna Garage.

Items recovered from him include 25 litres of engine oil concealed in sacks, the sum of N624,900, a mobile phone, power bank, national identity card and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

Preliminary findings indicate he had been supplying logistics, including motorcycle parts, to terrorists over an extended period.

In a related development, troops of OPHK deployed at Gubio, alongside intelligence operatives and CJTF, conducted targeted operations, leading to the arrest of 13 suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators. Similarly, two additional suspects were apprehended in the same area and confessed to long-term involvement in supplying logistics to terrorists.

In another operation, troops arrested a suspected member of JAS/ISWAP terrorist group, identified as Abubakar Ali, alias ‘Saina’, at Kilo Papa checkpoint while transiting to Maiduguri. Further interrogation revealed that the suspect was on a suspected reconnaissance mission.

He has been handed over to the authorities for detailed investigation.

Troops also arrested a suspected kidnapper in Azir area of Damboa Local Council.

Further, clearance and cordon and search operation (CASO) conducted in Wulgo Junction, Gamboru Motor Park, and surrounding areas led to the recovery of 450 wraps of substances suspected to be marijuana and other illicit substances, while suspected drug peddlers fled upon sighting troops.

The military high command commends the troops for their resilience, vigilance and professional conduct, urging them to sustain the operational tempo to clear and deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre of operations.

Meanwhile, Troops of Sector 2, under the North-East Joint Task Force, OPHK, rescued 150 abducted civilians on the Buratai-Kamuya axis of Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

The rescued civilians, comprising women and children, were travelling along the 130-kilometre Damaturu-Biu road before their kidnap.

According to the OPHK Media Information Officer, Lt-Col SaniUba, all the rescued civilians were moved to Buratai for onward movement to reunite them with their families.

He stated that the rescue operations occurred on Tuesday, March 30, 2026 about 14.50pm, when troops of Sector 2 were deployed to the Dutse Kura came under multiple attacks while escorting dozens of civilians to Damaturu and Biu townships.

Uba, in a statement, yesterday, in Maiduguri disclosed: “The troops have demonstrated their counter-terrorism operational dominance and unwavering commitment to the protection of civilians by foiling a planned mass abduction by the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

“While decisively engaging the terrorists, surveillance assets identified the insurgents attempting to abduct a large number of civilians, comprising men, women and children. They were forcefully abducted into 17 vehicles and quickly whisked into the west fringe of the forest.”

In a swift response, The Guardian gathered, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) rapidly reinforced the location and repelled the attacks, by immediately launching what he described as a pursuit towards the Mangari area.

Uba explained that the aggressive operational pressures exerted by the troops also forced the terrorists to abandon all the kidnapped civilians and the 17 vehicles.

Regarding the planting of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Uba explained: “During the pursuit of insurgents, troops encountered an IED along the Bula Zarma-Mangari axis. Five personnel sustained severe injuries and were promptly evacuated for medical treatment.”

He added that the sacrifice of the gallant troops underscored OPHK’s resolve to incapacitate the terrorists and protect the vulnerable populations across the theatre of war.