Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside local vigilantes, have intercepted a major logistics movement linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP factions, killing at least 17 insurgents during a pre-dawn ambush in Borno State.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of December 21, 2025, followed actionable intelligence indicating that terrorist elements were attempting to transport supplies through remote communities under the cover of darkness.
Confirming the development, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the troops acted swiftly after receiving reports on the planned movement of logistics by suspected insurgents.
According to him, soldiers, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters, quietly positioned themselves between Sojiri and Kayamla villages on the night of December 20 to intercept the group.
“Intelligence clearly showed that the terrorists were relying on bicycles to move critical supplies across difficult terrain,” Uba said.
“Our forces anticipated their route and set up a coordinated ambush without alerting the targets.”
At about 2:24 a.m., the suspected insurgents reportedly arrived at the location, confirming prior intelligence assessments.
Troops immediately engaged them from concealed positions, leading to a fierce but brief exchange.
Military sources said 17 insurgents were neutralised during the confrontation, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries after abandoning their supplies.
Items recovered from the scene included bicycles, foodstuffs, clothing, detergents, medical and drug supplies, torchlights, as well as assorted weapons and ammunition of different calibres.
Security analysts say the intercepted materials suggest the group was attempting to restock fighters operating in surrounding areas, a move that could have prolonged attacks on civilian and military targets.
Reacting to the outcome, Lt. Col. Uba noted that the operation reflects growing synergy between security forces and local communities.
“This success reinforces the value of intelligence-led operations and community cooperation in weakening terrorist supply chains,” he said.
Moreover, military authorities stressed that sustained pressure on insurgent logistics remains central to ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the North-East, as troops continue to target both fighters and the networks that sustain them.