North East theater: troops eliminate terrorists, rescue victims, and recover weapons and ammunition.

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), operating under Operation DESERT SANITY, have neutralized scores of bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered arms and ammunitions in separate operations across the North East theatre.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer (North East), stated that troops supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) conducted coordinated offensives in the Valle, Ashigashiya, and Gakara general areas. They engaged suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists with superior firepower, neutralizing two insurgents while others fled toward the Ngoshe axis.

Similarly, troops operating along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis intercepted suspected terrorists and engaged them effectively, neutralizing one insurgent and recovering a radio set and a mobile phone.

Troops conducting offensive operations along the Ngoshe–Amuda corridor rescued an eight‑year‑old boy named Abubakar Mublagha, who had been abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on the Ngoshe community. He was medically evaluated and reunited with his family.

In a related development, OPHK troops operating around Uvaha, a deserted village along the Gwoza–Limankara axis, rescued a 20‑year‑old abducted Fulani man named Dahiru Ahamdu. He disclosed that he escaped from his captors following intense artillery bombardments by troops, which struck terrorist camps, neutralized two insurgents, and created panic within the enclave.

He further revealed that he was abducted on May 8, 2026 while grazing cattle at Bororo village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The victim has since undergone medical examination and was successfully reunited with his family through community leadership.

In a separate operation, OPHK troops deployed at Buni Gari, acting on credible intelligence, recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and explosive ordnance abandoned by fleeing terrorists in the Magza general area. Items recovered included four 40 mm RPG bombs, one 81 mm mortar bomb, and four 60 mm mortar bombs. The explosives were safely secured by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

In another development, OPHK troops arrested a suspected collaborator named Kuti Muhammad, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), over alleged links with terrorist elements. The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation.

Similarly, OPHK troops swiftly responded to a reported armed robbery incident in Garin Gwigwi village, Biu Local Government Area, and arrested three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed, and Adamu Aliyu. Items recovered included mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, charms, jewellery, cash, a dagger, a Quranic booklet, and a locally made firearm.

Additionally, troops in conjunction with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market with six rustled cattle. The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.