Troops of Operation HADIN KAI say they have recorded major successes against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains during 22 January 2026 combat operations.

 

A statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters’ Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, indicated that under “Operation DESERT SANITY V,” Sector 1 troops foiled an attempted ambush involving roadside IEDs and heavy gunfire, neutralising 10 terrorists, including two senior commanders, Basulhu and Ubaida.

Several weapons and logistics were recovered during follow-up exploitation.

It added that in a separate encounter around Malkube, troops killed two more terrorists and recovered arms, ammunition, and communication equipment, without any casualty to the troops.

Another unit also engaged terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura, forcing them to retreat and abandoning motorcycles and supplies.

In an earlier report, dozens of terrorists were reportedly killed following a renewed violent clash between the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP and elements of the Bukura faction loyal to Abu Umaima.

The incident, according to a security expert, Zagazola Makama, occurred on Tuesday along the Lake Chad Basin axis of Abadam Local Government Area of Borno.

In a report posted on his official X account on Thursday, Makam said the Bukura faction fighters, believed to be operating from settlements around the Lake Chad Basin on the Niger Republic side, engaged the ISWAP elements resident on the Nigerian side of the border.