Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised nine terrorists at Yanaga Ari in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, while successfully rescuing 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps from Boko Haram/ISWAP abductors along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in the Biu Local Government Area.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sanni, disclosed the developments in a statement on Thursday.
He said several weapons and logistical items were recovered following the military operation on Tuesday.
The statement attributed the successes to a recent directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, emphasising the need to sustain pressure on insurgent enclaves.
“In compliance with the recent charge by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, during his last operational visit, directing troops to sustain pressure on the remnants of terrorist groups through aggressive clearance and offensive operations across all fronts, troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, have continued to record huge operational successes in the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the North-East theatre,” Sanni said.
He explained that as part of Operation Desert Sanity IV, troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, made contact with ISWAP terrorists on 12 November 2025 at Yanaga Ari in Mafa Local Government Area.
“During the encounter, nine terrorists were neutralised, while five AK-47 rifles, several rounds of ammunition, and other logistics items were recovered,” he added.
Detailing the rescue operation, Sanni said, “Troops of Sector 2 successfully rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps, comprising 36 males and 38 females, who were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.”
He said the corps members were en route to Hawul on a Christian evangelism mission when their vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot at night.
“A military patrol team was swiftly deployed to the scene after a closed-circuit television system monitored by troops detected suspicious movement involving three buses at the location,” he noted.
“The rescued NYSC members are currently being accommodated at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai Institute, pending further arrangements for their safe movement,” Sanni said.
The military high command commended the troops for their gallantry and proactiveness, urging them to remain focused, vigilant, and committed to restoring lasting peace in the North-East.
Sanni called on the public to continue supporting the Armed Forces.
“Members of the public are once again enjoined to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations aimed at ridding the region of all forms of terrorism and criminality,” he advised.