Crime

Army Kills Five Terrorists, Frees Hostages in Fresh Borno Operation

Published by admin on January 4th, 2026.

Army Kills Five Terrorists, Frees Hostages in Fresh Borno Operation

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have recorded another operational success after carrying out a coordinated assault on terrorist elements in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, leading to the rescue of abducted civilians.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Theatre Command spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed that the operation resulted in the elimination of five terrorists without any loss of personnel.

He explained that in the early hours of January 4, 2026, troops working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) engaged terrorists at a known crossing point along the Sojiri axis. “The operation led to the neutralisation of five terrorists with no casualties recorded among our troops, reflecting the professionalism and effectiveness of the security forces,” Uba said.

During the encounter, the troops successfully rescued three civilians who had been held hostage by the terrorists and recovered AK-47 rifles from the scene.

According to the spokesperson, the operation highlights OPHK’s sustained commitment to aggressive action against terrorist groups while prioritising the safety of civilians. He also noted that collaboration with local security groups has continued to play a critical role in ongoing successes.

Uba added that troop morale remains high and that security forces continue to maintain control across the theatre of operations despite the evolving security challenges.

The development comes amid separate military actions in the North-West, where joint security forces repelled attacks by bandits on Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas of Kano State on the night of January 1, extending into the early hours of January 2.

Military sources said the attackers suffered significant losses and were forced to flee. They were later tracked into Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, where the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out a targeted airstrike.

According to the army, intelligence reports revealed that the fleeing bandits had gathered in Dan Marke area of Matazu LGA to bury their fallen members. Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions identified and monitored their movements, leading to a precision strike after their motorcycles converged.

The army said the combined ground and air operations delivered a decisive blow to the bandits, further weakening their operational capacity.