Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on multiple locations across the Joint Operations Area in Borno and Yobe States, dealing a decisive blow to the insurgents.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, the attacks occurred in the early hours of Thursday, October 23, 2025, between midnight and 4:00 a.m.
The terrorists launched simultaneous assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko, located within Sector 1 (Borno State) and Sector 2 (Yobe State). However, troops reportedly stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled all attacks.
Uba said the Air Component Command of OPHK provided vital support through precision airstrikes and real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, which enabled ground troops to respond with overwhelming force.
“The combined ground and air efforts resulted in the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations,” he stated. “Troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition.”
He added that more than 70 wounded terrorists were still being pursued by ground forces with air support.
Intelligence reports revealed that terrorists who attacked Dikwa and Gajibo infiltrated from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorist enclave.
Some gallant troops sustained injuries during the battles but were reported to be in stable condition. The statement also noted that some vehicles and buildings were gutted by fire from terrorists’ armed drones and RPG fire, particularly in Mafa and Dikwa, where part of the defences were briefly breached.
The Military High Command commended the troops’ gallantry, professionalism, and resilience, reaffirming the military’s determination to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation against all threats, especially with the deployment of more boots and critical combat enablers into the theatre,” the statement added.
