Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully thwarted a planned suicide bombing in Borno State after neutralising three terrorist suicide bombers during an intelligence-led operation in Gwoza Local Government Area.

The operation was carried out along the Guduf–Pulka axis following credible intelligence indicating the movement of suicide bombers toward civilian-populated areas. Acting swiftly on the information, troops, working in close collaboration with local volunteer forces, launched a covert surveillance and tracking mission that led to the interception of the terrorists before they could reach their intended targets.

Military sources disclosed that the suicide bombers were engaged and neutralised in a controlled encounter, effectively preventing a potential mass-casualty attack. Troops also confronted the terrorists’ armed escorts, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the surviving elements to retreat towards the Mandara Mountains under sustained fire.

During the operation, troops recovered suicide vests and other components used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Explosive ordnance disposal teams subsequently secured and rendered the materials safe. Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, while two motorcycles used for movement and logistics were destroyed.

Preliminary intelligence assessments revealed that the suicide bombers were deployed from hideouts in the Mandara Mountains by the Ali Ngulde-led Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram, which has continued attempts to target soft civilian locations despite sustained military pressure.

In response, Operation Hadin Kai has intensified operations across known terrorist enclaves, focusing on detecting, tracking and neutralising suicide bombers and their support networks through enhanced human intelligence, communication intercepts and other intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Theatre Command has also strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies and community-based volunteer groups across Borno and Yobe States to prevent terrorist infiltration and attacks. Public enlightenment campaigns have equally been intensified, urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or movements within their communities.

Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist elements, degrading their operational capacity and ensuring the continued safety of civilians across the North-East theatre of operations.