BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, APRIL 29, 2026/ 12:39PM

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have recorded significant gains against insurgents in two coordinated offensives under Operation DESERT SANITY V, killing at least 18 terrorists and destroying multiple enclaves in the Timbuktu and Bulabulin Forest areas of the North East.

This was disclosed Tuesday in a press statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the operations involved troops of Sector 2, elements of the Stabilisation Force, Civilian Joint Task Force, and the Air Component Command of Operation HADIN KAI.

On the Bulabulin Forest axis, troops cleared terrorist enclaves at Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti, Yaro Shuwari and other locations along the Bulabulin Forest and Kamadogu Yobe stretch.

During contact at Malam Shiri Village, troops executed a tactical flanking manoeuvre with air support, neutralising 11 terrorists while others fled with injuries.

All life support structures in the area were destroyed.

Items recovered include 9 AK-47 rifles, 3 PKT anti-aircraft automatic machine guns, 5 motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials used for Improvised Explosive Devices.

In a separate engagement along the Wajiroko–Sabongari corridor in the Timbuktu axis, troops supported by the Air Component engaged insurgents in a sustained assault.

Seven terrorists were confirmed killed, with blood trails and body parts indicating higher enemy casualties.

Troops recovered AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, a large cache of ammunition, bandoliers, and communication equipment.

Lt. Col. Uba said the Air Component Command played a “crucial and decisive role” in both operations, providing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance that enabled accurate target acquisition.

Precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements.

Follow-up exploitation operations are ongoing along the Forfor, Multe, and Wajiroko axes by troops and volunteer forces to consolidate gains and prevent regrouping of insurgents.

The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the interest of security and economic stability in the North East.