By Odita Sunday
An intelligence-led air operation has dealt a major blow to terrorist activities in Borno State, with more than 18 terrorists reportedly neutralised and several logistics structures destroyed at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns general area.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 2026, by the Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), targeted a known terrorist enclave and was carried out in coordination with ground troops of Sector 1 OPHK.
The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering on terrorist activities around the islands. Surveillance later identified the area as a meeting and logistics point where terrorist elements gathered and received support.
According to the Joint Task Force, further Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted from Wednesday, 9 September 2026, helped confirm the presence of terrorist structures and logistics hubs at the location.
With the targets positively identified, the air platforms moved in with precision strikes while ground troops positioned themselves along likely escape routes.
The coordinated operation destroyed the targeted structures and neutralised more than 18 terrorist elements, disrupting what the military described as an important gathering and support base for terrorist activities in the area.
A post-strike assessment put the operation at about 85 per cent success in achieving its intended objectives.
Beyond the number of terrorists neutralised, the operation is significant because of the damage to the logistics network that supported activities from the enclave.
The Joint Task Force said the outcome demonstrated the value of accurate intelligence, timely surveillance and coordination between air and ground forces in tackling terrorism.
It added that Operation HADIN KAI would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations, working with other security agencies and stakeholders to deny terrorists the opportunity to operate freely, regroup or establish logistics and support bases across the North-East Theatre.
The military also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security forces to help identify and disrupt terrorist activities across the region.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Goni, Captain and Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, on 11 September 2026.
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