Troops kill 18 terrorists at Borno meeting point

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday disrupted a meeting of high-profile terrorists at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns general area of Borno State, killing 18 of them.

The Army said the operation was based on credible intelligence gathered over the past weeks, which indicated the presence of high-profile terrorist elements at a convergence of meeting and logistics nodes within the islands.

In a statement on Friday, the acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Cap Mohammed Goni, said the operation was jointly conducted by the air and ground components of the task force.

“The intelligence was validated through further surveillance by theatre command and confirmatory ISR commencing on September 9, 2026, which pinpointed several terrorist structures and logistics hubs within the location, confirming the use of the area as a terrorist gathering and support base.

“This intelligence-led effort culminated in the kinetic operations successfully executed in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 2026,” he said.

Goni added that following positive identification of the targets, the air platforms acquired and engaged the designated locations with precision.

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“While ground troops occupy all likely escape routes for further direct fire engagements. The air strikes successfully destroyed the targeted structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements,” he added.

The Army spokesman said the operation dealt a significant blow to terrorist activities in the area, disrupting their logistics and degrading their ability to use the enclave as a gathering and support base.

He further explained that the post-strike assessment indicated an estimated 85 per cent success in achieving the intended operational objectives.

“The outcome further underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, timely ISR confirmation and coordinated employment of air assets in synergy with ground troops,” he said.

He, however, assured that OPHK would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorist elements the freedom to operate, regroup or establish logistics and support infrastructure across the Theatre.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security forces to support ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist activities across the North East Theatre,” he advised.