Troops repel terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Borno as Operation HADIN KAI thwarts coordinated assaults without casualties
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Borno states, neutralising multiple threats and reinforcing military control across the North East in the early hours of Friday, 16 January 2026.
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According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant SA Atokolo, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Atokolo said alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force.
The assault was repelled without casualties or loss of military equipment. He added that the area was subsequently cleared and scanned for improvised explosive devices to ensure the safety of civilians and personnel.
Later the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base Azir in Borno State.
Troops, supported by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and Nigerian Army aerial platforms, responded with overwhelming firepower. After a sustained firefight lasting more than an hour, the attackers were forced to retreat.
During the engagement, rocket-propelled grenade fire damaged troop-carrying vehicles and the base’s CCTV control room. Despite the damage, troops retained full control of the facility.
Several weapons and ammunition were recovered, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of 7.62mm NATO rounds.
Atokolo said persistent intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance tracked fleeing terrorists, enabling follow-up operations that neutralised additional militants.
He noted that the operations inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers and significantly weakened their fighting capacity.
The military spokesman said the actions of OPHK personnel demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and superior combat capability, underscoring their commitment to securing lives, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring peace across the North East.
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He added that operations would continue until all remaining threats are eliminated.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
