Troops neutralised 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists in Borno — Former OPHK Commander, Abdulsalam

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, has reported that troops neutralized over 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State under his leadership. This announcement was made during a media briefing ahead of the transition of command to Major General Ibikunle Ajose in Maiduguri. Besides the neutralization of terrorists, Abubakar's forces recovered more than 475 weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition, while 295 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found and detonated.

The security forces also intercepted over N300 million related to terrorist financiers, arresting 758 logistics collaborators. In addition to these military successes, 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered over the past year, and 638 civilians were rescued from terrorist strongholds. Military operations have enabled the return of more than 7,000 displaced families to their hometowns, with several communities reoccupied in Borno.

Over 3,000 Nigerians were also repatriated from Cameroon during this period. The former Theatre Commander attributed these achievements to the operationalization of Sector 4, the introduction of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters, and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, as well as the enhancement of the Military Command and Control Centre.

Major General Ibikunle Ajose, who officially took over from Abubakar at the Theatre Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, pledged to build upon the progress made by his predecessor and work towards restoring stability in the North-East.