Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in parts of Adamawa and Borno states, forcing the assailants to retreat and sustaining further losses during follow-up air operations.
The disclosure was made in a press release signed by Lieutenant SA Atokolo, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, dated 16 January 2026.
According to the statement, the first incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at Sabon Gari, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base under Sector 4 of the operation. Troops on alert engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force.
The military said the attackers were repelled without any casualty to troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the assault. Following the engagement, the area was cleared and scanned for improvised explosive devices and possible booby traps to safeguard both civilians and personnel.
In a separate but related incident the same day, terrorists launched what the military described as a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base Azir in Borno State. The attackers attempted to breach part of the defensive perimeter but were met with sustained firepower from ground troops, backed by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms.
The exchange reportedly lasted for over an hour before the attackers were overpowered and forced to withdraw.
During the firefight, rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists affected troop-carrying vehicles and the CCTV control room, which were partially damaged by fire. Despite this, troops maintained control of the base, the statement said.
Several weapons and ammunition were recovered after the attack, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The military added that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms tracked the retreating fighters, enabling air operations along their withdrawal routes. Precision strikes by Nigerian Air Force platforms were said to have neutralised additional scores of the terrorists, with post-operation assessments confirming heavy casualties.
Lieutenant Atokolo stated that the outcome of the operations reflects the resolve of troops to deny terrorist groups freedom of action and protect communities across the North East. He added that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to dismantling terrorist networks in the region, with operations continuing until all threats are eliminated.
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