The troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), together with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team, have been able to neutralise over 21 terrorists and destroy a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist camp in Adamawa State.

The operation was carried out in the general area of Kopre Mountain, in Hong Local Government Area, based on reliable intelligence on the activities of the terrorists.

The joint force went into the offensive early in the morning, August 27, 2026, according to a statement issued by Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, on Thursday.

The induction of the troops, Goni said, took place in Sector 4, Adamawa State, on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

The troops traversed the rugged terrain before they broke into the terrorists’ enclave and were able to carry out a “precision attack” on the camp, he said.

The operation, the statement said, was part of the efforts to track and rescue victims kidnapped by the terrorist elements, such as the residents from Mussa community kidnapped in May 2026 and the school children kidnapped in Lassa in June 2026.

It was said that the troops had two clashes with the terrorists, killing over 21 and leaving several others with gunshot wounds.

“Following fierce engagements, over 21 terrorists were neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Goni stated.

The troops then took over the area, destroyed the logistics infrastructure of the terrorists and broke up their camp, which made their operations more difficult, he said.

In addition, several motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans with Premium Motor Spirit were destroyed during the exploitation of the camp, which were thought to have been used for terrorist logistics and mobility. 

The security forces also recovered several AK-47 rifles, magazines and a significant amount of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the site.

“The operation was an example of the capability of the combined force to apply intelligence-led tactics in challenging environments and to prevent terrorists from operating in an unfettered manner,” Goni said.

The successful operation reflects the continued operational tempo, tactical skill, intelligence exploitation skill and joint force combat effectiveness, he said.

The operation was also an offshoot of the army’s ongoing operations to destroy terror hiding grounds, cut their supply lines and free abducted civilians in the North-East, he added.

During the operation, the ONSA Tactical Team and OPHK troops received praise from the Military High Command for “gallantry, professionalism, resilience and seamless coordination.”  

The task force promised that search and rescue efforts will continue until the kidnapping suspects are found and rescued.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in sustaining aggressive, intelligence-driven operations to locate and rescue abducted persons, neutralise terrorist hide-outs, degrade their logistics, their capabilities to fight, and deny them free movement,” it continued.