The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation HADIN KAI eliminated over 100 terrorists, including a notorious commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in the first quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at news conference on military operations.
Onoja said the sustained offensive targeted remnants of Boko Haram, ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, across Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe.
He said troops, supported by air components, carried out precision strikes on insurgents’ enclaves in remote and border areas.
“During the quarter, troops neutralized several terrorist leaders and scores of fighters, arrested 174 suspects and rescued kidnapped victims.
“In addition, 19 insurgents and their families surrendered, bringing the cumulative number of surrendered persons to over 122,800,” he said.
Onoja said ISWAP had confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Abu Ya’yar al-Muhajir, describing it as a major loss to the group.
According to him, the development underscores the effectiveness of ongoing operations in degrading the group’s leadership structure.
Providing details of March operations, he said troops neutralized top commanders, including Saddam, Sandy, Gary, Kagu and Baha’i Pembe in a precision strike on Sambisa Forest. That troops repelled coordinated ISWAP attacks in several locations, including Gajiram, Baga, Marte and Monguno.
The defence spokesman said troops also foiled a drone attack at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area, where 74 terrorists were killed and weapons recovered.
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“On March 11, over 20 terrorists, including a high-value target, Abu Yusuf, were neutralized during a night attack in Yobe. “Fourteen insurgents also surrendered within the period,” he said.
He added that troops disrupted terrorist logistics by intercepting fuel supplies and arresting collaborators aiding insurgents.
In another development, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other North Central operations recorded significant successes against terrorists, bandits and criminal elements in the first quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA maintained sustained operational tempo across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. The troops neutralized scores of terrorists arrested 114 suspects and rescued 386 kidnapped victims within the period.
According to him, key operations in March included the destruction of a major terrorist enclave belonging to the Lapu Rawa group in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state. That troops arrested suspected logistics suppliers conveying motorcycles and fuel to terrorists and rescued kidnapped victims in Katsina.
“Troops also repelled attacks in Sokoto and Zamfara states and arrested a gunrunner with 200 rounds of ammunition in Kaduna state,” he said.
On operations in the North Central, Onoja said troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD and Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded notable achievements.
He said the troops neutralized several terrorists, arrested suspects and rescued kidnapped victims across Niger, Kwara, Plateau and Bauchi state.
“Notably, troops neutralized over 17 terrorists in Niger and intercepted 850 bags of ammonium chloride, an improvised explosive device precursor, in Kwara. “They also rescued abducted worshippers and arrested illegal miners, including foreign nationals,” he said.
Onoja added that troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested 210 suspects and rescued 61 kidnapped victims during the quarter. The troops also intercepted large quantities of ammonium sulphate and arrested drug suspects during operations in March.
He noted that ongoing operations had significantly disrupted criminal networks and reduced threats across the regions.
NAN
