Troops Foil Terrorists’ Levy Collection Mission, Destroy Vehicle and Recover Ammunition in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have disrupted an alleged Boko Haram/ISWAP operation in Borno State, neutralising a suspected terrorist driver and recovering weapons, ammunition and logistics items during a coordinated offensive.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation was launched after troops received credible intelligence that suspected terrorists were travelling in two Volkswagen Golf cars and motorcycles to collect illegal levies from communities in the area.

According to Goni, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bukarti, working alongside the 27 Task Force Brigade, mounted an aggressive fighting patrol along the Paya Kafiya axis on July 19, 2026, where they encountered the suspected insurgents.

“The troops made contact with the terrorists and immediately engaged them with overwhelming and superior firepower,” Goni said in a statement.

He disclosed that one of the Volkswagen Golf vehicles was disabled during the exchange of gunfire, while its driver was killed. Four other suspected terrorists reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds after failing to withstand the troops’ offensive.

A follow-up exploitation operation conducted on July 20 along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada axis led to the recovery of the abandoned vehicle and several items believed to have been used in terrorist operations. Recovered exhibits included 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs such as paracetamol and nicotine products, as well as mechanical tools assessed to support terrorist logistics.

The military said the operation forms part of ongoing intelligence-led offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating across the North-East.

Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, pledging to continue working with other security agencies and law-abiding citizens to restore lasting peace, security and stability across the region.