Operation Hadin Kai Airstrikes Kill 38 Suspected Terrorists in Borno

About 38 suspected terrorists have reportedly been killed in a series of precision airstrikes conducted by Operation Hadin Kai in different locations across Borno State.

The operations were carried out between the night of Friday, August 21, and the early hours of Saturday, August 22, following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities that detected movements of suspected terrorists.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the first operation took place around Aduwa at about 10:23pm on Friday after an armed reconnaissance aircraft received intelligence on the movement of terrorist fighters and vehicles in the area.

The aircraft reportedly tracked the suspects to a settlement where a large number of fighters had gathered.

A precision strike was subsequently conducted on the larger concentration, with an initial battle damage assessment indicating that approximately 16 suspected terrorists were killed.

The operation continued after midnight when the aircraft reportedly tracked about 10 terrorists who had escaped the initial strike and regrouped near a tree.

Another precision strike was conducted against the group, with the assessment indicating that the 10 suspected terrorists were also neutralised.

Makama said the two strikes around Aduwa accounted for approximately 26 suspected terrorists.

In a separate operation around Buratai, another military aircraft reportedly detected about 12 suspected terrorists gathered inside a hut.

The location was struck at approximately 12:31am on Saturday after the necessary operational authorisation was obtained.

According to the report, the strike achieved a direct hit and was assessed to have killed all 12 suspected terrorists at the location.

The reported casualties from the two separate operations therefore brought the total number of suspected terrorists killed to approximately 38.

The latest airstrikes form part of ongoing military operations against terrorist networks operating across Nigeria’s North-East.

Operation Hadin Kai has continued to target terrorist leadership, logistics networks, fighting formations and the ability of insurgents to move and operate freely across the region.

Security sources cited in the report described the overall security situation as “calm but unpredictable”, while the morale and fighting efficiency of troops were said to remain satisfactory.

Makama said the latest operations were expected to further disrupt terrorist command-and-control structures and make it more difficult for insurgents to assemble large groups of fighters without being detected.

He said terrorist groups were increasingly being forced to abandon large gatherings and resort to smaller and more concealed movements.

“Concealment alone may no longer guarantee safety,” Makama said.

He further linked the development to a reported increase of more than 250 per cent in terrorist surrenders over the past month, suggesting that sustained military pressure may be affecting the ability of insurgent groups to operate openly.

The reported strikes come as Nigerian security forces continue efforts to weaken terrorist networks and restore stability across communities affected by insurgency in the North-East.

The figures cited in the report are preliminary battle-damage assessments, and official military confirmation of the reported casualty figures had not been included in the information available for this report.

Troops Recover Body of Slain Imo Community Leader From Shallow Grave, Suspects to Face Prosecution

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA have exhumed the remains of a community leader allegedly murdered by members of a criminal gang in Imo State, marking another breakthrough in ongoing security operations across the South-East.

The victim, Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community, was reportedly abducted and killed by the gang before his body was secretly buried in a shallow grave inside Umudike Forest, a location identified as one of the group’s operational camps.

According to the Nigerian Army, the discovery followed intelligence-led operations carried out by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation EASTERN SANITY II.

Security operatives had earlier arrested several suspects linked to violent crimes in the region, including the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the theft of military weapons.

During interrogation, one of the arrested suspects reportedly confessed to participating in Chief Anyadu’s murder and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.

Acting on the information, soldiers on Saturday, August 2, traced the suspects to the forest, where the remains of the late community leader were recovered from the shallow grave.

The exhumation was witnessed by members of the deceased’s family, local vigilante operatives from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of both Aggah and Umudike communities.

Following the recovery, the family provided a coffin and ambulance to transport the remains for a proper burial in accordance with local customs and traditions.

Commander of Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, expressed sympathy to the bereaved family, assuring them that those responsible for the killing would face justice.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks operating across the South-East and bringing perpetrators of violent crimes before the courts.

Fadairo also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence capable of preventing criminal activities and strengthening ongoing operations.

Operation UDO KA noted that the recovery of Chief Anyadu’s remains represents another step toward delivering justice to victims of violent crimes while restoring confidence in the military’s efforts to improve security across the region.

Nigerian Army Declares Soldier Wanted Over Alleged Supply of Military Uniforms to Terrorists

 

The Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC) has declared one of its personnel, Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu, wanted over allegations that he illegally supplied military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by Major Oluwatopẹ Dorcas Aluko, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that Private Amutu, who was serving at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, allegedly became involved in the unauthorized sale and distribution of military uniforms before absconding from his unit.

The Army disclosed that the soldier has been absent without authorization since June 3, 2026, prompting military authorities to officially declare him wanted.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the soldier, who was serving at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, absconded from his unit on 3 June 2026. Consequently, he has been declared wanted by the appropriate military authorities, while intensive efforts are underway to locate and apprehend him to face a full investigation and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with extant military laws,” the statement read.

The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps stressed that it maintains zero tolerance for misconduct and any act capable of undermining national security or the operational effectiveness of the military.

It warned that any military personnel found aiding terrorists, criminals or other non-state actors through the unauthorized sale, diversion or distribution of military uniforms, accoutrements or other controlled items would face severe consequences under both military and civil laws.

“The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps wishes to state unequivocally that it has zero tolerance for misconduct, indiscipline, or any act capable of compromising the operational effectiveness, integrity and reputation of the Nigerian Army or threatening national security,” the statement added.

The Corps appealed to members of the public to support the ongoing manhunt by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted soldier.

Citizens with useful information were urged to report immediately to the nearest military formation or any other security agency.

The Army also reassured Nigerians of its commitment to accountability, professionalism and safeguarding military assets, noting that internal control measures are continually being strengthened to prevent the diversion of military equipment.

It further pledged that every allegation of misconduct involving its personnel would be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found guilty would be held fully accountable in accordance with the law.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the proliferation of military uniforms in the hands of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups, who have increasingly used such attire to impersonate security personnel during attacks.

Police Debunk Viral Katsina Video, Identify Armed Men as Vigilantes

 

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the narrative as false, misleading, and intended to misinform the public.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police clarified that the individuals featured in the viral video are not bandits but duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working in support of security operations in the state.

According to the statement, the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies,” the statement said.

The Force noted that the security volunteers have been partnering with law enforcement agencies in efforts aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing public safety in affected communities.

Police authorities condemned what they described as the deliberate distortion of facts surrounding the footage, warning that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions, and hamper ongoing security operations.

The NPF urged members of the public to disregard the claims attached to the video and rely only on information released through official police channels and other authorized government sources.

The statement further warned individuals and groups involved in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist immediately, stressing that legal action may be taken against violators.

Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to collaborate with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective fight against crime across the country.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the spread of unverified security-related content on social media, with authorities repeatedly urging citizens to verify information before sharing it online.