 have neutralised more than 1,106 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, including several senior commanders,){kind=link}
….Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralised more than 1,106 Boko H1,106 Terrorists Neutralised Under Outgoing OPHK Commander
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralised more than 1,106 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, including several senior commanders, during the tenure of the outgoing Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Abubakar disclosed the operational scorecard during his farewell and engagement with humanitarian organisations, representatives of the Borno State Government and journalists in Maiduguri.
The outgoing commander, who became the 15th Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, said the achievements were recorded through sustained military offensives, intelligence-driven operations and non-kinetic interventions designed to weaken terrorist networks and restore normal life across the North-East.
Among the high-profile terrorists killed during the period, he listed Abu Bilal Al-Muniki, popularly known as Abu Mainok; Malam Jidda, Amir of Ngorgore and Malumti villages; Abu Modu; Modu Dogo; Munzir of Dogon Chukun; Abu Aisha, Qaid of Tumbun Mota; and Abul Kaka, among others.
According to Abubakar, the removal of the commanders and scores of their fighters placed considerable pressure on the terrorist groups and disrupted their operational networks across the Theatre.
He said the fundamental objective of Operation HADIN KAI remained the restoration of normalcy, stressing that success could not be measured solely by battlefield victories.

He explained that normalcy included the restoration of essential services, reopening of schools and markets, resumption of agricultural activities and the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.
Weapons, Ammunition Recovered
The outgoing commander disclosed that troops recovered more than 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres during the period.
He added that troops also detected and safely detonated 295 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) between April 2025 and September 2026, thereby preventing possible attacks on security personnel and civilians.
Beyond the battlefield, Abubakar said security forces also targeted the financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist operations.
He disclosed that more than ₦300 million allegedly linked to terrorist financiers was intercepted, while 758 suspected terrorist logistics collaborators were arrested.
The sustained pressure, he said, also contributed to a significant increase in the number of terrorists abandoning the insurgency.
According to him, 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members surrendered within the last year, a development he attributed to the combination of military pressure and efforts to create a dignified exit pathway for those willing to renounce terrorism.
638 Civilians Rescued
Abubakar further revealed that troops rescued 638 civilians from terrorist enclaves during the period.
He also highlighted the successful rescue of all 46 students caught up in an attempted abduction at the Federal Government Girls College, Monguno.
The commander said these operations had contributed to the gradual return of civilian activities in communities previously severely affected by the insurgency.
He disclosed that more than 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities, with returnee communities now established in every Local Government Area of Borno State.
Another major development, he said, was the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerians from Cameroon through collaboration involving the Borno State Government, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
NYSC, Schools, Markets Return
Abubakar said the improving security situation had also paved the way for the return of activities that had been disrupted for years.
He cited the return of the National Youth Service Corps orientation programme to Maiduguri after more than 13 years as one of the notable signs of recovery.
He added that WAEC and NECO examinations were now being conducted in communities including Banki and Gwoza, while previously restricted trade routes had reopened and markets in several communities had resumed operations.
OPHK Gets Technology Boost
The outgoing Theatre Commander also disclosed that Operation HADIN KAI underwent structural and technological strengthening under his watch.
He said the operationalisation of Sector 4 helped bridge a security gap between Southern Borno and Northern Adamawa.
The induction of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, he added, further enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and precision operations.
Abubakar said the Theatre’s Military Command and Control Centre was also strengthened and connected to frontline surveillance cameras, giving commanders improved situational awareness and enabling faster responses to emerging threats.
He, however, stressed that the gains recorded were not the achievement of the military alone.
According to him, the progress was the product of collaboration among troops, other security agencies, the Borno State Government, humanitarian organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, the media and other stakeholders.
He urged all partners to sustain the cooperation needed to consolidate the gains and prevent a resurgence of terrorism across the North-East.
Ajose Takes Over
Maj.-Gen. Abubakar is handing over the command of Operation HADIN KAI to Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, who assumes office as the new Theatre Commander.
The change of command comes as troops continue operations against remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP elements while supporting the stabilisation of liberated communities and the safe return and resettlement of displaced residents across the North-East.aram and ISWAP terrorists, including several senior commanders, during the tenure of the outgoing Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Abubakar disclosed the operational scorecard during his farewell and engagement with humanitarian organisations, representatives of the Borno State Government and journalists in Maiduguri.
The outgoing commander, who became the 15th Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, said the achievements were recorded through sustained military offensives, intelligence-driven operations and non-kinetic interventions designed to weaken terrorist networks and restore normal life across the North-East.
Among the high-profile terrorists killed during the period, he listed Abu Bilal Al-Muniki, popularly known as Abu Mainok; Malam Jidda, Amir of Ngorgore and Malumti villages; Abu Modu; Modu Dogo; Munzir of Dogon Chukun; Abu Aisha, Qaid of Tumbun Mota; and Abul Kaka, among others.
According to Abubakar, the removal of the commanders and scores of their fighters placed considerable pressure on the terrorist groups and disrupted their operational networks across the Theatre.
He said the fundamental objective of Operation HADIN KAI remained the restoration of normalcy, stressing that success could not be measured solely by battlefield victories.
“The mandate given to Operation HADIN KAI when I assumed command was clear: to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North-East so that socio-economic activities can thrive.”
He explained that normalcy included the restoration of essential services, reopening of schools and markets, resumption of agricultural activities and the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.
Weapons, Ammunition Recovered
The outgoing commander disclosed that troops recovered more than 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres during the period.
He added that troops also detected and safely detonated 295 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) between April 2025 and September 2026, thereby preventing possible attacks on security personnel and civilians.
Beyond the battlefield, Abubakar said security forces also targeted the financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist operations.
He disclosed that more than ₦300 million allegedly linked to terrorist financiers was intercepted, while 758 suspected terrorist logistics collaborators were arrested.
The sustained pressure, he said, also contributed to a significant increase in the number of terrorists abandoning the insurgency.
According to him, 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members surrendered within the last year, a development he attributed to the combination of military pressure and efforts to create a dignified exit pathway for those willing to renounce terrorism.
638 Civilians Rescued
Abubakar further revealed that troops rescued 638 civilians from terrorist enclaves during the period.
He also highlighted the successful rescue of all 46 students caught up in an attempted abduction at the Federal Government Girls College, Monguno.
The commander said these operations had contributed to the gradual return of civilian activities in communities previously severely affected by the insurgency.
He disclosed that more than 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities, with returnee communities now established in every Local Government Area of Borno State.
Another major development, he said, was the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerians from Cameroon through collaboration involving the Borno State Government, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
NYSC, Schools, Markets Return
Abubakar said the improving security situation had also paved the way for the return of activities that had been disrupted for years.
He cited the return of the National Youth Service Corps orientation programme to Maiduguri after more than 13 years as one of the notable signs of recovery.
He added that WAEC and NECO examinations were now being conducted in communities including Banki and Gwoza, while previously restricted trade routes had reopened and markets in several communities had resumed operations.
OPHK Gets Technology Boost
The outgoing Theatre Commander also disclosed that Operation HADIN KAI underwent structural and technological strengthening under his watch.
He said the operationalisation of Sector 4 helped bridge a security gap between Southern Borno and Northern Adamawa.
The induction of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, he added, further enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and precision operations.
Abubakar said the Theatre’s Military Command and Control Centre was also strengthened and connected to frontline surveillance cameras, giving commanders improved situational awareness and enabling faster responses to emerging threats.
He, however, stressed that the gains recorded were not the achievement of the military alone.
According to him, the progress was the product of collaboration among troops, other security agencies, the Borno State Government, humanitarian organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, the media and other stakeholders.
He urged all partners to sustain the cooperation needed to consolidate the gains and prevent a resurgence of terrorism across the North-East.
Ajose Takes Over
Maj.-Gen. Abubakar is handing over the command of Operation HADIN KAI to Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, who assumes office as the new Theatre Commander.
The change of command comes as troops continue operations against remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP elements while supporting the stabilisation of liberated communities and the safe return and resettlement of displaced residents across the North-East.
source:@ZagazolaMakama
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