Adamawa: Army, ONSA Forces Storm Boko Haram/ISWAP Camp, Neutralise Over 21Terrorists

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside the Tactical Team of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have dismantled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist camp in the Kopre Mountain general area of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, August 27, followed credible intelligence on the activities and location of terrorist elements operating in the rugged mountainous area. The joint operation forms part of intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and rescue people held captive by insurgents.

According to Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), the force comprised personnel from the ONSA Tactical Team and newly inducted troops of 226 Battalion, recently deployed to Sector 4, Adamawa State, on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

The troops reportedly carried out a stealth insertion into the difficult terrain before penetrating the terrorists’ enclave and launching a precision assault on the camp. The operation was designed not only to destroy the hideout but also to disrupt the terrorists’ ability to operate from the area.

Military authorities said the offensive was linked to ongoing search-and-rescue efforts targeting terrorist elements believed to be holding abducted persons. Among those being sought are victims abducted from Mussa community in May 2026 and schoolchildren taken from Lassa in June.

During the operation, troops reportedly engaged the terrorists in two separate encounters. Following the fierce exchanges, more than 21 terrorists were neutralised, while several others managed to escape with gunshot wounds, according to the military statement.

After securing the area, the joint force dismantled the terrorist camp and destroyed associated logistics infrastructure. The military said the action further degraded the terrorists’ operational capacity and reduced their ability to use the location as a base for planning and launching attacks.

The troops also destroyed several motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which were believed to have been used to support the terrorists’ mobility and logistics. Several AK-47 rifles, magazines and a substantial quantity of 7.62mm Special ammunition were also recovered during exploitation of the camp.

The military described the operation as evidence of the joint force’s ability to combine intelligence with tactical action while operating in difficult terrain. It said the successful assault demonstrated the troops’ capacity to penetrate terrorist enclaves, disrupt their logistics and deny them freedom of movement within the North-East theatre.

The Military High Command commended the ONSA Tactical Team and Operation Hadin Kai personnel for what it described as gallantry, professionalism, resilience and effective coordination. The command also reaffirmed its determination to continue pursuing terrorist elements and dismantling their operational bases across the region.

Operation Hadin Kai said its search-and-rescue efforts would continue until abducted persons are located and rescued. The military further assured the public that intelligence-driven operations would be sustained to degrade terrorist fighting capabilities, destroy their logistics networks and support efforts to restore lasting peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East.