Nigerian Army

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled a cross-border attack launched by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters along the Kirawa axis in Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred around eleven o’clock at night on Thursday during Operation Desert Sanity V and Siege Operations. The attackers were said to have attempted to move in from the Cameroon axis but were detected while advancing toward the troops’ location.

A gun battle followed, during which the troops overpowered the attackers. Twelve of the insurgents were killed, while others fled back across the border into Cameroon. Several of the fleeing fighters also sustained gunshot injuries.

Military sources explained that the operation drew support from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, air support, and coordination with partner forces.

“The sources added that the operation was supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets as well as air component strikes and partner coordination,” the report reads.

“Preliminary battle damage assessment indicated that 12 terrorists were neutralised, while an unspecified number sustained injuries during the encounter. One soldier was reported wounded in action.

“No equipment losses were recorded on the side of the troops, while several items were recovered from the terrorists, including AK-47 rifles, RPG components, rounds of ammunition, and a packet of assorted materials.

“Military authorities said troops have maintained their positions and continue to conduct exploitation operations in the general area to prevent regrouping by fleeing elements.

“They added that the security situation in the axis remains calm but unpredictable, urging continued vigilance and sustained operational pressure across all fronts.”

Authorities said troops have remained in control of the area and are carrying out follow-up operations to stop regrouping attempts by fleeing fighters. The security situation in the axis was described as calm but unpredictable.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a woman suspected of collaborating with Boko Haram/ISWAP in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources quoted by counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, disclosed that the suspect, identified as Kellu Abba, was arrested on Wednesday morning at a military checkpoint.

“The sources said the suspect, a Kanuri woman residing in Lawanti area of Baga town, was intercepted while allegedly conveying supplies to her son, identified as Modu Mustapha, a suspected terrorist operating within the Dumba general area,” Makama said.

The fifty-year-old suspect was reportedly stopped around eight o’clock in the morning during a security operation in the area.

“According to the sources, items recovered from the suspect included four ready-to-use supplementary food packs, two hijabs and one wristwatch.

“The military said the suspect was currently in the custody of the 196 Amphibious Battalion for further investigation and necessary action.”

The report added that security operatives have continued their operations across the theatre despite the unpredictable nature of the security situation in the region. Troops were also said to be maintaining strong morale and operational effectiveness.

By Muazu Muhammad Adam

In recent times, public conversations surrounding insecurity in Nigeria have increasingly focused more on negative narratives, criticisms, and misinformation, while the tremendous sacrifices and operational victories being recorded daily by the Nigerian Army often go unnoticed or deliberately ignored.

At a time when troops continue to risk their lives across forests, deserts, rivers, and dangerous frontline locations to defend the country, many Nigerians unfortunately pay little attention to the countless successful operations being carried out against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements threatening national peace and stability.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu as Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army has intensified nationwide operations with visible and undeniable results across several theatres of operation. From the North-East to the North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South regions, troops have continued to demonstrate resilience, professionalism, courage, and operational superiority against criminal elements.

One of the major realities many Nigerians fail to acknowledge is that while citizens sleep peacefully in their homes, thousands of soldiers remain deployed in hostile environments under extremely difficult conditions, constantly confronting terrorists and armed groups on behalf of the nation. These sacrifices deserve appreciation, encouragement, and national support rather than constant condemnation and politically motivated narratives aimed at discouraging the morale of troops.

Recent operations carried out under Operation HADIN KAI clearly demonstrate the renewed operational strength and combat effectiveness of the Nigerian Army under the current military leadership.

On 8 May 2026, troops of Operation HADIN KAI decisively crushed a large-scale coordinated assault launched by ISWAP terrorists on Headquarters 27 Brigade at Buni Gari. The terrorists attacked from multiple directions under the cover of darkness in what appeared to be a desperate attempt to overwhelm troops and breach the location. However, Nigerian troops stood their ground with remarkable courage, tactical discipline, and overwhelming firepower.

The terrorists suffered catastrophic losses during the encounter as no fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised while several others fled with gunshot wounds. The operation also led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition including AK-47 rifles, General Purpose Machine Guns, RPG launchers, RPG bombs, ammunition belts, magazines, and Improvised Explosive Device canisters. Despite the scale of the attack, troops successfully defended the camp and prevented any breach of the location.

The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also played a decisive role by conducting precision air interdictions against fleeing terrorists, further decimating insurgent elements attempting to escape through various withdrawal routes. Human intelligence reports later confirmed additional terrorist casualties scattered across surrounding bushes and escape corridors.

Again, on 9 and 10 May 2026, troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully defeated another attempted ISWAP attack on the 120 Task Force Battalion in Gonori under Sector 2. The terrorists advancing from the Mandunari axis were detected early by vigilant troops, leading to a devastating ambush and coordinated spoiling attack that completely disrupted the terrorists’ operation before they could penetrate the camp.

Through effective coordination between ground troops, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, and the Nigerian Army Aviation, retreating terrorists were subjected to intense air-land offensives which inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents. Several weapons including General Purpose Machine Guns, PKTs, AK-47 rifles, assorted ammunition, and other combat materials were recovered after the failed attack.

These successful operations are only a few examples among numerous daily victories being recorded by troops across the country. Unfortunately, many of these achievements receive little public attention compared to negative stories and unverified social media narratives designed to portray the Nigerian Army unfairly.

No military institution anywhere in the world operates without challenges. However, fairness demands that Nigerians should also recognize and appreciate the extraordinary sacrifices, courage, and achievements of the men and women of the Nigerian Army who continue to confront terrorism and insecurity daily under life-threatening conditions.

The leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in appointing Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu is increasingly yielding visible operational results as troops continue to sustain pressure against terrorists and criminal networks across the country. The current military leadership has demonstrated commitment toward operational efficiency, troop welfare, inter-agency cooperation, and aggressive offensives against enemies of the state.

Nigerians must understand that constant demoralisation of security personnel through fake news, propaganda, and one-sided narratives only benefits terrorists and criminal groups whose primary objective is to weaken national unity and public confidence. Patriotism requires citizens to support security institutions, encourage troops, and acknowledge genuine progress where necessary.

Constructive criticism remains important in every democracy, but deliberate campaigns aimed at discrediting the efforts of soldiers risking their lives for national security should be discouraged. The Nigerian Army deserves commendation for its resilience, bravery, and continued sacrifices in defence of the nation.

As insecurity continues to evolve, national unity and public support for security forces have become more important than ever. Nigerians must stand behind the Armed Forces and appreciate the efforts of gallant troops who continue to pay the ultimate price so millions can live peacefully.

The courage displayed by troops during the Buni Gari and Gonori operations once again proves that the Nigerian Army remains battle-ready, determined, and fully committed to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace across the country.

By Misbahu El-Hamza

A few weeks ago, the HQ Nigerian Army announced the recovery of the remains of two officers, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, who were “brutally abducted and murdered by IPOB/ESN terrorists in May 2022 while travelling for their traditional wedding.”

I felt some relief for their families. At least they can now properly bury their loved ones and finally let go of the painful uncertainty of whether they were still alive.

But the report also reopened my grief for our lost friend, Hamza Ibrahim.

Hamza was my university coursemate and a very close friend. He and I often confided in each other. After university, he joined the Nigerian Army and later rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He was serving with a unit in Ogoja, Cross River State.

On July 2, 2023, Hamza disappeared while travelling from Abia to Anambra State.

Since then, we have not heard from him. Not by the Nigerian Army. Not by his grieving wife. Not by his father, who died last year, carrying the pain of not knowing what happened to his son. And not by any of us, his friends.

A few months after Hamza went missing, I led a group of our classmates to visit his wife at her family home in Kano. At the time, she was nursing their second child, just a few months old.

Her last memory of Hamza was a phone call on the day he disappeared.

He told her he suspected he was being followed. During the call, he asked whether their daughters were awake and told her to pray for him. She said he sounded unusually tense. That was the last time she heard his voice.

Then, on March 22, 2025, she was invited to his unit in Cross River State and handed a condolence letter and a death certificate.

“That was the worst day of my life,” she recalled.

Yet she still does not believe her husband is dead.

“I have spoken to many of his friends in the Army, and no one can clearly say what happened to Hamza,” she told me.

I once asked whether she or anyone around the family suspected IPOB/ESN involvement. She replied that if such groups had killed him, at least there would have been a body.

She referenced the killing of their family doctor, an Igbo military officer whose body, according to her, was left behind after IPOB/ESN shot him dead.

But in Hamza’s case, she said there was no trace. No confirmed scene. Nobody. Nothing.

To this day, she said many of his military friends still describe his disappearance as a mystery.

It has now been more than two years since we lost Captain Hamza Ibrahim. Ten days after he disappeared, he was promoted in absentia.

And although his wife officially received his death certificate nearly 20 months after that final phone call, she still hopes that one day she and her two daughters will wake up and see their husband and father return home. 

“Allah Ya bayyana mana gaskiya, Ya tona asirin duk wanda yake da hannu a cikin ɓatan shi,” (May Allah reveal the truth and expose whoever had a hand in his disappearance), she said in a broken voice as we were about to leave their house.

For me, it is painful to finally write about Hamza.

One thing I will always remember about him was his compassion toward me. Whenever I ran out of food at the university, Hamza would take me to his room and cook for us. I still remember when he handed me a crisp ₦500 note to buy food and kerosene. That kindness is something I can never forget.

I wanted to write about him shortly after he disappeared, but his wife asked me not to because she had been instructed not to speak to the media, and I respected that. But after reading the Nigerian Army’s report on the recovery of two missing officers, I could no longer keep this painful story to myself.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s newly appointed Ambassador to China, Lieutenant General Abdurrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), made a poignant return to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) on Wednesday, promising that his new diplomatic role would not sever his ties with the institution he helped build.

During his farewell visit to the Centre in Abuja, the former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior clarified that the meeting was not a goodbye, but a strategic consultation.

“I am still a member of the Board of Trustees,” the Ambassador stated. He explained that his mission is to leverage his new position to foster bilateral partnerships between Chinese institutions and NARC, particularly in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other critical sectors.

Receiving him, the Director General of NARC, Major General J.G.K. Myam (rtd), described the moment as historic yet emotional. He lauded Dambazau’s years of unwavering support and immense contributions to the Centre’s growth, adding that while his physical presence would be missed, his national calling deserved applause.

“You have been a committed supporter,” General Myam said, presenting the Ambassador with a souvenir after Dambazau signed the Centre’s Visitors’ Book.

The event, which ended with a group photograph at the TY Buratai Block, was attended by top directors, research fellows, and military personnel, who all wished the new envoy success in Beijing.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Military forces operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded multiple successes across five local government areas in Katsina State, neutralizing three terrorists, recovering stolen livestock, and dismantling a drug ring, authorities said on Sunday.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of the 171 Battalion laid an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following intelligence that terrorists were fleeing recent military operations in Dikawa.

During the ensuing firefight, troops killed three terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses, and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation across Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps cleared terrorist enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya, and Tashar Ganji villages. The terrorists abandoned their camps under sustained pressure, and troops recovered 175 rustled livestock. The animals are now in military custody awaiting handover to local authorities in Matazu LGA.

Additionally, troops from Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA, arresting six suspected drug peddlers: Sani Rabiu (25), Umar Nasiru (22), Abulkubus Aminu (35), Abdullahi Halilu (27), Abubakar Rabiu (22), and Abubakar Dahiru (33).

Seized narcotics included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5, and 1.8 grams of D5. The suspects and drugs have been transferred to the NDLEA Malumfashi Area Command for prosecution.

The Theatre Command called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A legal practitioner, Abdurrahman Muhammad Jariri, has accused personnel of the Nigerian Army of reckless conduct and intimidation, following an incident he said occurred in Sokoto.

Jariri made the allegation in a Facebook post, where he claimed that soldiers in a convoy acted aggressively while he was driving with a friend in the city.

According to him, the incident happened amid heavy traffic, when the military convoy approached from behind. He alleged that the soldiers shouted and applied pressure on road users to clear the way, despite the congestion.

Jariri stated that he could not immediately move his vehicle due to the traffic situation. He further alleged that the soldiers then rammed into his car.

He said, “Today in Sokoto, while I was driving my car with a friend, a convoy of soldiers suddenly approached us from behind, shouting, applying pressure, and wielding sticks, insisting that we must give way despite the heavy traffic and congestion on the road.”

He added, “Our inability to immediately clear the way due to the traffic situation did not deter them; instead, they deliberately rammed into my vehicle while continuing to shout aggressively.”

The lawyer described the action as reckless and inhumane. He claimed that such behaviour reflects a pattern of alleged abuse against civilians.

Jariri also announced his intention to seek legal redress against the Nigerian Army and its leadership.

“I will certainly take legal action against the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, and the respective military authorities in Sokoto and Kebbi States, in order to hold them accountable and teach them a lesson for the reckless and inhumane actions of their personnel,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, working alongside other security agencies, have dismantled a major hideout of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The operation, which took place on April 24, 2026, along the Ubaha Orsu axis, was part of a clearance mission aimed at rooting out criminal elements in the South East. According to a statement released by the Army, troops acted on credible intelligence and came under heavy fire from armed criminals while approaching the suspected stronghold. The ensuing gunfight saw troops repel multiple ambushes, forcing the terrorists to flee.

Following the clearance, a search of the camp led to the discovery of shallow graves, suspected to contain the remains of two military personnel—Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew—who were abducted and killed by IPOB/ESN in May 2022 while traveling for their traditional wedding.

The exhumed remains have been secured for forensic analysis, including DNA testing, to confirm their identities. The Army said it is liaising with the families of the deceased for proper identification and a dignified burial.

The military described the find as further proof of the group’s atrocities and disregard for human life, reaffirming its commitment to eradicating criminal networks in the region. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Sector 2, have neutralised no fewer than 24 terrorists following a fierce encounter during an attack on Kukareta area.

The military disclosed that the engagement followed a “determined terrorist attack on Kukareta location” in the early hours of Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the attack began shortly after midnight and continued until about 03:00 hours. He noted that troops responded immediately with what he described as a coordinated counter-operation that forced the attackers into retreat.

The statement read: the troops “executed a deliberate offensive-defensive action, effectively containing the assault and forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.”

It added that the troops inflicted heavy losses on the attackers, confirming that “24 terrorists neutralised so far.”

Following the encounter, troops recovered a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition during ongoing clearance operations. The items include “18 AK-47 rifles, 3 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 2 PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, 3 RPG tubes, 2 mortar tubes, 4 hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition for PKT systems.”

The statement also confirmed that two soldiers sustained injuries during the battle and have since received medical attention. It further disclosed that an armoured tank deployed for reinforcement suffered damage after its tyres were destroyed during the confrontation.

It stated that troops have continued to track the withdrawal routes of the fleeing terrorists, where blood trails and abandoned medical supplies were discovered.

The military described the operation as a demonstration of combat strength and preparedness, adding that it reflects the troops’ capacity to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement.

It further assured that operations will continue with sustained pressure aimed at clearing remaining terrorist elements within the theatre of operations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Security forces have arrested a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), over his alleged role in the fatal attack on a police officer in Delta State two months ago.

Troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, acting under the broader military offensive code-named Operation EASTERN SANITY, raided a terrorist hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in the early hours of Tuesday, 21 April 2026.

The prime suspect, widely known by his alias “Calamity,” was arrested alongside four other key members of the outlawed group.

According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, the operation was triggered by credible intelligence linking “Calamity” and his cell to a brazen attack at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, on 26 February 2026.

During that assault, the assailants shot dead a police officer and wounded another before escaping with two AK-47 rifles.

Following intensified security sweeps in Delta State, “Calamity” and his men reportedly fled to Ebonyi State, where they set up a new camp to evade capture and continue their violent activities.

Authorities say actionable intelligence led troops directly to the hideout, where the five suspects were apprehended without immediate casualties. At the time of his arrest, “Calamity” was found carrying a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys. A black Kcsanya motorcycle was also recovered.

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to dismantle their wider network and recover additional weapons.

“This successful operation underscores the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, to neutralize terrorist threats, restore peace, and protect law-abiding citizens across the region,” the statement read.

The military reiterated its call for public support, urging citizens to provide timely information to aid ongoing security operations.