Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have recorded a major success in what has been described as a renewed offensive under Desert Sanity V, neutralising two senior Boko Haram commanders, identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, alongside eight other fighters in operations around the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.
The Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a press statement, explaining that the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday after insurgents attempted to plant Improvised Explosive Devices in the affected areas.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on 22 January 2026. At around 0930 hours, insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire.
“Troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralizing 10 terrorists, including 2 senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida.
“Follow-up pursuit and exploitation led to the recovery of 3 AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, 5 motorcycles, 2 hand grenades, 2 Baofeng radios, 12 x AK-47 magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags as well as iron bars and IED accessories”, the statement reads in part.
Lt. Col. Uba further confirmed that the operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, five motorcycles, 12 AK-47 magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and other military and logistics items.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1 also engaged terrorists around the Malkube area along a different offensive route, where additional AK-47 rifles, ammunition and communication equipment were recovered, while two terrorists were neutralised without any casualties recorded among the troops.
“Another Battle Group from Sector 1 engaged BHT/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura into Nigeria, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.”
The statement added that further exploitation of the area resulted in the recovery of more insurgent equipment and supplies, including two motorcycles, thereby restricting the terrorists’ operational freedom.
