In a decisive show of force against insurgency in the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralized nine Boko Haram terrorists and recovered over ₦5 million in ransom money during a series of coordinated fighting patrols in Magumeri and Gajiram general areas of Borno State.
Acting on credible intelligence on October 10, 2025, the troops launched a rapid response operation around Goni Dunari in Magumeri Local Government Area, where terrorists were reportedly moving in two vehicles with twenty-four fighters on foot. The insurgents had begun setting houses ablaze and terrorizing locals when the troops engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
Following a four-hour pursuit that spanned approximately ninety-two kilometres, the troops made contact with the fleeing terrorists and launched a frontal assault. The encounter resulted in the neutralization of five terrorists, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
According to the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle with registration number 06798, five magazines—two of which were loaded and three empty along with thirty-one rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, an Itel mobile phone, and a dagger. He added that no casualties or equipment losses were recorded on the part of the troops during the operation.
In a separate operation along the Gajiram–Bolori–Mile 40–Gajiganna axis, motorcycle-mounted troops encountered another group of Boko Haram fighters near Zundur village. After a brief exchange of fire, four terrorists were neutralized while others escaped into nearby bushes.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba further disclosed that the troops rescued two abducted victims identified as Mr. Modu Kinnami, aged fifty-five, and Mr. Bukar, aged fifty-seven, both from Guzamala. He explained that a sack containing ₦750,000 was recovered during the rescue. Preliminary investigations revealed that the terrorists had earlier demanded a ransom of ₦2 million and two new Tecno button phones for the release of one of the captives’ brothers.
He also confirmed that other items recovered from the terrorists included a blue pickup truck with registration number GUB 327 XA, two new Tecno button phones, and a jerrycan containing thirty litres of petrol. A total cash sum of ₦4,355,000 was also recovered, bringing the total amount seized from the terrorists to over ₦5 million, believed to be ransom proceeds from previous abductions.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba reiterated that further operations are ongoing across all fronts to maintain pressure on the terrorists and deny them freedom of movement within the region.