Nigerian Troops Deal Decisive Blow to Terrorists in Borno State

MAIDUGURI, Borno State – In a significant victory against insurgency, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, operating in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have successfully neutralized several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in two separate operations in Borno State. The operations, which occurred on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, also resulted in the recovery of arms, ammunition, motorcycles, and improvised explosive device (IED) materials.

The encounters highlight the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian military and allied forces to counter the persistent threat posed by the terrorist groups in the Northeast. Recent intelligence reports indicate a surge in violent, coordinated attacks by ISWAP since January 2025, with an escalation of attacks on military targets, including bases in New Marte, Dikwa, and Rann earlier this month. This underscores the continued need for vigilance and robust counter-terrorism strategies.

In the first incident, troops stationed in Rann encountered a group of terrorists attempting to loot food items from a broken-down civilian vehicle. The swift response of the soldiers led to a direct engagement, resulting in the elimination of six terrorists. Several AK-47 rifles and an undisclosed quantity of ammunition were recovered from the neutralized insurgents.

This incident comes amidst reports of ISWAP deploying drones and launching sophisticated assaults in the Rann area, prompting mass civilian flight towards the Cameroonian border earlier in May.

Separately, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) MOLAI, supported by the CJTF, conducted a successful ambush operation at a known terrorist crossing point near Komala, along the Maiduguri-Damboa road. The ambush effectively disrupted terrorist movements, leading to the neutralization of an unspecified number of terrorists. A substantial number of motorcycles and various IED materials, which terrorists reportedly intended to bury, were also recovered.

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The Maiduguri-Damboa road has been a hotspot for insurgent activity, often targeted due to its critical role as a major food supply route and its importance for military operations and humanitarian access in the region.

These successful operations demonstrate the continued commitment of the Nigerian military and the invaluable support of the CJTF in degrading the capabilities of Boko Haram and ISWAP. The recoveries of weapons and IED materials are crucial in disrupting future attacks and underscore the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability to the troubled Northeast.