Soldiers kill terrorists, arrest collaborators in Borno, Yobe operations

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intensified clearance operations across the North-East, killing suspected terrorists, arresting collaborators, and recording fresh surrenders in Borno and Yobe states.

The defence headquarters revealed this in the May 15 to 21 operations report in a statement obtained from its X handle on Sunday.

The statement read, “On 15 May 2026, troops deployed at Kirawa conducted clearance operations through Valle general area, Ashigashiya, and Gakara in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA), neutralising 2 terrorists during a fierce engagement.

“On 16 May 2026, troops in conjunction with local hunters clamped down on insurgent logistics at Kwayar Kusar Market in Kwayar Kusar LGA of Borno State, arrested 4 suspected cattle rustlers and terrorists’ collaborators who were in possession of 6 cows meant for illicit sale on behalf of the insurgents.”

The military added that sustained pressure on insurgents had continued to force family members and fighters to surrender.

It stated that on May 17, an adult male family member of a terrorist escaped from the Kwatara enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops along the Gwoza-Limankara route in Gwoza LGA due to “severe lack of basic needs” and military pressure.

The statement further noted that on May 19, two adult females and seven minors surrendered to troops in Dikwa LGA of Borno State, while another woman identified as Alisha Sale also surrendered in Dikwa town on the same day.

Meanwhile, troops on routine checks at Lawanti town near Baga in Kukawa LGA on May 20 reportedly arrested a female collaborator accused of smuggling ready-to-use supplementary food and hijabs to her son, identified as Modu Mustapha, whom the military described as a notorious terrorist commander operating in Mobbar LGA.

On the same day, a 20-year-old suspect, Babakaka Bukar, surrendered to troops at the Forward Operating Base, Mairari, in Nganzai LGA, handing over an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a mobile phone.

The military also disclosed that troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier at Bama checkpoint on May 21 with food items and other materials allegedly meant for insurgents.

In neighbouring Yobe State, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition allegedly abandoned by fleeing terrorists, it noted.