Troops Kill 44 Suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighters in Borno Offensive Operations

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have killed 44 suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during a series of offensive operations across Borno State.

The operations also reportedly left several other suspected terrorists injured, while military personnel destroyed vehicles, motorcycles and improvised explosive device (IED) materials linked to terrorist activities.

The Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday morning.

Goni said the troops had continued to target terrorist groups through coordinated operations guided by intelligence. According to him, the offensive was aimed at weakening their operational capabilities and restricting their movements across the theatre.

He explained that on October 26, 2026, troops engaged suspected terrorists at different locations in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State after receiving intelligence reports and conducting surveillance. A subsequent battle damage assessment indicated that 28 suspected terrorists were killed, while six others sustained injuries.

The military spokesperson added that on October 28, the Maritime Component operating from the Naval Base Lake Chad in Baga carried out further offensive operations against terrorist targets in the Lake Chad area. Preliminary assessments indicated that eight suspected terrorists were killed and 10 others injured.

Goni also disclosed that an air interdiction mission disrupted a suspected terrorist operation involving the placement of improvised explosive devices. The strike reportedly killed eight operatives and destroyed their vehicle, motorcycles and IED materials, preventing the group from proceeding with its planned activity.

He said the operations reflected sustained military pressure on terrorist networks and reaffirmed Operation Hadin Kai’s commitment to reducing their capabilities and protecting communities across Nigeria’s North-East. The Theatre Command also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations.

The latest announcement follows another military operation on Monday, during which troops reportedly killed 16 suspected ISWAP fighters in coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad. The operation followed intelligence indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters in the area.