DESERT SANITY V: Troops Crush Terrorist Strongholds, Neutralise Scores in Coordinated Air–Land Assault

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have intensified offensive operations against terrorist elements in Nigeria’s North-East, recording major successes under Operation DESERT SANITY V with the destruction of key insurgent enclaves and the neutralisation of several fighters. 

In two coordinated operations across the Timbuktu and Bulabulin Forest axes, troops of Sector 2, working closely with the Air Component Command and supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force, dealt decisive blows to terrorist formations, significantly degrading their operational capacity.

At the Bulabulin Forest axis, ground forces in conjunction with elements of the Sector 2 Stabilisation Force Brigade cleared multiple terrorist hideouts located in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari, as well as surrounding areas along the Kamadogu Yobe stretch. The operation reached a critical point at Malam Shiri Village, where troops engaged insurgents in a coordinated flanking manoeuvre backed by aerial firepower.

Military sources confirmed that 11 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while several others fled with injuries. Troops went on to destroy life-support structures and logistics hubs used by the insurgents. Items recovered from the scene included nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT anti-aircraft machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials for the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

In a similar operation along the Timbuktu axis, particularly the Wajiroko–Sabon Gari corridor, troops maintained strong defensive and offensive positions against advancing terrorists. With close air support, the forces repelled the insurgents and neutralised at least seven fighters. Additional blood trails and body fragments discovered during post-operation sweeps suggested higher casualty figures among the fleeing terrorists. 

Recovered from the Timbuktu axis were AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, a large cache of ammunition, bandoliers, and communication equipment, further weakening the insurgents’ fighting capability.

The Air Component Command of OPHK played a decisive role in both engagements, providing sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which enabled precise targeting and real-time coordination with ground troops. Subsequent air interdiction strikes on identified terrorist positions and retreating fighters further decimated the insurgent ranks, ensuring the success of the joint operations.

Military authorities disclosed that troops, alongside volunteer forces, have launched aggressive follow-up exploitation missions along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to consolidate gains, track fleeing insurgents, and prevent any regrouping.

The latest operations underscore the increasing operational effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI and reaffirm the military’s sustained dominance across the North-East theatre.