Nigerian troops operating under Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated a suspected Boko Haram fighter during a late-night ambush in Borno State.
The operation, according to military sources, followed weeks of surveillance aimed at cutting off terrorist movement routes and disrupting their operational patterns in the region.
Security operatives reportedly positioned themselves along a known transit corridor frequently used by insurgents.
Shortly after contact was made, the fighters attempted to escape, triggering a brief but decisive engagement.
“Once the troops made contact, the insurgents scattered in different directions, abandoning personal items as they fled,” a military source familiar with the operation said.
“A follow-up sweep of the area confirmed that one ISWAP-affiliated fighter was neutralised.”
Moreover, soldiers recovered several personal belongings believed to have been left behind by the fleeing insurgents.
These items, security officials noted, could provide intelligence leads for tracking remaining elements in the area.
Military sources further disclosed that dozens of rounds of ammunition were used during the encounter, stressing that the troops recorded no casualties.
Importantly, the army said the operation aligns with its broader counterinsurgency strategy aimed at denying Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters freedom of movement, logistical access, and opportunities to regroup.
“This is part of sustained pressure to weaken terrorist networks and restore stability across the North-East,” a senior military official said, adding that similar operations would continue across flashpoints in the region.
The North-East has remained a focal point of military operations as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle insurgent strongholds and protect local communities from renewed attacks.