Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, operating under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have continued their offensive against insurgents, achieving significant gains in the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY with the clearance of several terrorist camps in the Timbuktu Triangle.
In a statement issued on Sunday, January 18, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt. Colonel Sani Uba, said troops advanced from their harbour locations to carry out deliberate, intelligence-driven operations against identified terrorist enclaves in Chilaria, Garin Faruk and Abirma.
He explained that the ground operations were closely supported by the air component of OPHK, which provided continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage across the axis.
The air–ground coordination enabled real-time tracking of insurgent movements, prevented reinforcement, and enhanced the precision and effectiveness of the advancing troops.
During the clearance operations, troops recovered a cache of military and logistical items. These included Baofeng radios, mobile phones, five AK-47 magazines, quantities of 7.62×39mm special ammunition and 7.62mm NATO belted rounds, Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, links of 12.7×108mm ammunition, diesel-powered grinding machines, large quantities of medical supplies, bags of grains, a pickup truck, underground logistics storage facilities, and a petroleum, oil and lubricant dump.
According to the military, the recoveries have further degraded the operational and supply capabilities of the terrorists.
Lt. Colonel Uba disclosed that the advancing troops were subjected to armed drone attacks by the insurgents during the operation but maintained their momentum and pressed on with the offensive.
A subsequent attempt by the terrorists was also decisively repelled, forcing them to withdraw and thus reinforcing the troops’ dominance of the area.
He added that despite the sustained engagements, troop morale remains high and fighting efficiency has been maintained.
While the general security situation in the area is calm, it remains unpredictable, with troops on high alert and maintaining a heightened state of readiness.
The Military High Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the operations, stressing that troops remain resolute in their mandate to neutralise terrorist threats, protect civilians, and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East.
Nigerian troops overrun terrorist strongholds in North-East, repel drone attacks
