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Operation HADIN KAI Forces Uncover Mass Grave and Eliminate Numerous Terrorists in Sambisa Forest
In a significant breakthrough, soldiers engaged in Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have uncovered a mass burial site containing the remains of approximately 20 terrorists. These militants were killed during recent clearance missions within the Timbuktu Triangle area of the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.
Official Statement Highlights Tactical Successes
Lieutenant Colonel Sanu Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation HADIN KAI, revealed this development in a statement dated Wednesday, January 21, 2026. He emphasized that the discovery not only highlights the extent of terrorist casualties but also undermines the false narratives propagated by insurgent groups.
Strategic Advances and Key Area Dominance
According to the statement, troops have maintained momentum in their push through the Timbuktu Triangle, achieving substantial operational victories and weakening terrorist networks entrenched in the region. The forces successfully cleared and secured critical locations including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma sectors.
Engagements and Counterterrorism Efforts
During these operations, soldiers frequently encountered retreating insurgents, engaging them with intense firepower that resulted in the neutralization of multiple terrorists. On January 20, 2026, while consolidating positions near a harbor roughly six kilometers north of Chilaria, troops confronted two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
Thanks to heightened vigilance and rapid response, one VBIED was successfully defused. Unfortunately, the second device breached defensive lines, damaging some logistical assets. This attack led to casualties among brave soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, with several wounded personnel swiftly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.
Air Support and Continued Security Operations
Throughout the casualty evacuation, Nigerian Air Force units collaborated closely with Army air platforms, providing continuous aerial surveillance and protection. This coordination ensured the safe extraction of injured personnel while ground forces continued to suppress and eliminate additional terrorist threats.
Revealing the True Cost of Terrorism
The discovery of the mass graves containing around 20 terrorist bodies, buried by their comrades following clashes with troops, starkly illustrates the heavy losses inflicted on insurgent groups. This evidence further discredits terrorist propaganda that often downplays their setbacks.
Maintaining Stability and Commitment to Peace
Overall, the security landscape across the operational theater remains stable. Troop morale and combat readiness are reported to be high, with ongoing operations exerting relentless pressure on fleeing terrorist factions.
Operation HADIN KAI forces reaffirm their unwavering dedication to safeguarding civilians, dismantling terrorist infrastructures, and restoring enduring peace and security throughout Nigeria’s North East region.
