 have stepped up their offensive against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram){kind=link}
By Abdullahi InuwaÂ
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have stepped up their offensive against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, recording a string of major successes during operations conducted throughout August 2026.
The sustained military campaign saw 152 terrorists neutralised, 142 suspects arrested and 219 insurgents surrender to the security forces during the month.
The figures underline the mounting pressure on terrorist networks as troops combine ground assaults, intelligence-driven operations and air interventions to disrupt insurgent activities across the theatre.
Operational information obtained by Zagazola Makama indicated that troops carried out 10 air interdiction operations in August, while also detecting and neutralising nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists.
The destruction of the explosives helped to reduce the threat along routes and pathways frequently used by troops, commuters, farmers and residents in affected communities.
Beyond the casualties inflicted on terrorist groups, the offensive yielded substantial recoveries of weapons, ammunition and other materials believed to be connected to insurgent activities.
Troops recovered 58 weapons and explosive items, including AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, locally manufactured firearms, a hand grenade and an RPG bomb.
Also recovered were 1,184 rounds of ammunition, alongside 16 mobility assets, 44 mobile phones, a Sony video camcorder and ₦1,794,910 in cash.
Security authorities are expected to exploit the recovered items as part of ongoing intelligence operations designed to expose terrorist supply chains, identify collaborators and dismantle the networks providing support to insurgents.
One of the notable developments recorded during the month was the surrender of 219 terrorists.
The development represents another setback for the insurgent groups, while giving security agencies an opportunity to obtain information that could help unravel terrorist command structures, hideouts, movement patterns and sources of logistics.
The military’s strategy has increasingly combined combat operations with intelligence gathering and community cooperation, with the aim of weakening the ability of ISWAP and Boko Haram to regroup and launch attacks.
The sustained pressure has also made movement more difficult for terrorist fighters, limiting their ability to operate freely and maintain prolonged attacks in vulnerable communities.
The counter-insurgency campaign is not limited to battlefield gains. A major objective is to create the security conditions required for displaced residents to return home, roads to reopen and economic activities to resume.
The clearance of IEDs remains particularly important because the explosives continue to pose serious dangers to soldiers and civilians travelling through rural communities and major access routes.
With terrorist logistics coming under increasing pressure and more fighters abandoning the insurgency, the military’s August performance points to an intensified effort to degrade the operational capacity of ISWAP and Boko Haram.
The ultimate goal remains to reclaim communities affected by insurgency, deny terrorists the freedom to threaten civilians and create a safer environment for the restoration of livelihoods and long-term development across the North-East.
As Operation Hadin Kai moves into the next phase of its campaign, the August results highlight the military’s continued focus on striking terrorist formations, cutting their supply networks and encouraging more insurgents to abandon the battlefield.
About The Author
