Abayomi Bolatito
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on military bases in Adamawa and Borno states. According to Lieutenant S.A. Atokolo, Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, the attacks occurred in the early hours of January 16, 2026.
In Adamawa State, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area under Sector 4 of Operation HADIN KAI. Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to troops and equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack.
On the same day, terrorists launched a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State. The attackers initially attempted to breach part of the defensive perimeter but were met with overwhelming and sustained firepower from gallant troops with support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms. After a prolonged firefight lasting over an hour, the terrorists were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw.
During the engagement, rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially gutted the CCTV control room at the base. However, troops retained control of the situation. Several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the attackers, including a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The precision strikes by the Nigerian Air Force platforms resulted in the neutralisation of additional scores of the terrorists, dealing a severe blow to the group’s fighting strength and morale. Evidence from the exploitation confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties.
