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  • Troops discover terrorists’ mass grave in Borno

    Troops discover terrorists’ mass grave in Borno

    Troops of the Joint Task Force Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of about 20 terrorists killed during military operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

     In a statement, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the mass grave reflects the increasing casualties being suffered by terrorist groups as a result of sustained military offensives in the area.

    According to him, the bodies were those of terrorists killed during encounters with troops and subsequently buried by their fleeing collaborators.

    “The discovery of mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle further exposes the scale of casualties suffered by the terrorists and discredits their propaganda narratives,” Uba said.

    The statement highlighted the significant successes recorded by troops in the ongoing clearance across the Timbuktu Triangle, noting that several key terrorist enclaves, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas, have been cleared and brought under effective military control.

    Read Also: Military operations resettled over one million households in Borno – Theater Commander

    Uba explained that during the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorists and engaged them with heavy firepower, resulting in the killings of several fighters.

    He further said on Tuesday, while troops were consolidating at a harbour location about six kilometres north of Chilaria, they encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).

    “Through vigilance and swift action, one of the VBIEDs was neutralised. However, the second VBIED breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms,” he said.

    Uba confirmed that the attack claimed some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, while others sustained injuries.

    The wounded personnel were  evacuated by the Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for treatment.

    He added that Nigerian Air Force aircraft, in coordination with other Army air platforms, provided continuous aerial surveillance and fire support during the evacuation to ensure the safety of ground troops, who continued to engage and kill fleeing terrorists.

  • Military operations resettled over one million households in Borno – Theater Commander

    Military operations resettled over one million households in Borno – Theater Commander

    Over a million households have been resettled in their ancestral homes in Borno State due to the ongoing stabilisation operations by the military, the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said.

    General Abubakar said this while giving an update on the military’s successes during a media tour organised by Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for Defence Correspondents to Maiduguri.

    The communities resettled in the operation, according to General Abaubakar, include Mala Fatori, Kekeno, Mala Jamel and Yelwa.

    He said: “Stabilisation operations are basically carried out in the theater to create the enabling environment for socio-economic activities to return to areas that were attempted to abandon because of the insurgency so that citizens can return back to their ancestral home to carry out their normal means of gaining a livelihood. 

    “This has been done severally in different communities in the theater, to include Malamfatori where we have phase one, phase two, and phase three resettlement. Over a million households have been resettled in Malamfatori as we speak.

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    “The same applies to Kukawa, which is now a thriving town. If you take a ride into Kukawa, you will not believe the kind of socioeconomic activities that are taking place there. Then recently we resettled Kekenu.

    “Stabilisation operations are also ongoing in Meirari. Meirari is about 30 kilometers from Mongunu town too. This is significant. So if we are able to do that, we are almost 80% done with support from the Borno state government. Then we are assured that those citizens can return back to their normal livelihood.”

    Abubakar added that the military’s stabilisation operations has also resulted in the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) and fixing of Duji bridge, which was hitherto destroyed by Boko Haram over 10 years ago.

    Duji is a border coming with the only bridge linking Nigeria with the Republic of Niger. The community was deserted during the heart of Boko Haram insurgency.

    “Previously, we used to have the Nigerian Immigration Service and Customs in the border Post in this area. But it has been abandoned for close to 10 years now. But recently, we have been able to insert troops into Duji,” he said.

    The Theater Commander said Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) remain one of the major challenges to troops’ operations in the North East, noting that capitalized on the bad roads to plant the IEDs.

    General Abubakar, however, said that the Theater Command was working hard to ensure that some of the roads are fixed.

    “We have procured some materials to fill some of the potholes so that we can deny the terrorists the opportunity to plant IEDs on these roads,” he said.  

  • Troops discover mass grave of terrorists in Borno

    Troops discover mass grave of terrorists in Borno

    Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of about 20 terrorists killed during military operations in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State.

    The discovery was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, who said the mass grave reflects the increasing casualties being suffered by terrorist groups as a result of sustained military offensives in the area.

    According to him, the bodies were those of terrorists neutralised during encounters with troops and subsequently buried by their fleeing collaborators.

    “The discovery of mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle further exposes the scale of casualties suffered by the terrorists and discredits their propaganda narratives,” Uba said.

    The statement highlighted significant operational successes recorded by troops in the ongoing clearance operations across the Timbuktu Triangle, noting that several key terrorist enclaves, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas, have been cleared and brought under effective military control.

    Uba explained that during the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with heavy firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of several fighters.

    Read Also: Troops discover terrorists’ mass grave in Borno

    He further revealed that on Tuesday, while troops were consolidating at a harbour location about six kilometres north of Chilaria, they encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).

    “Through vigilance and swift action, one of the VBIEDs was successfully neutralised. However, the second VBIED breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms,” he said.

    Uba confirmed that the attack claimed the lives of some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, while others sustained injuries.

    The wounded personnel were immediately evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for treatment.

    He added that Nigerian Air Force aircraft, in coordination with other Nigerian Army air platforms, provided continuous aerial surveillance and fire support during the evacuation to ensure the safety of ground troops, who continued to engage and neutralise fleeing terrorists.

  • NEDC deploys N3bn ophthalmology equipment, launches two-week health programme in Borno

    NEDC deploys N3bn ophthalmology equipment, launches two-week health programme in Borno

    The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced the implementation of a two-week medical health programme aimed at improving healthcare delivery and enhancing the overall health outcomes of residents in the region.

    Findings by our correspondent revealed that the Commission has launched the Ophthalmology Equipment Set-Up and Training Programme at the Maiduguri Eye Hospital in Borno State, with the deployment of advanced eye-care equipment valued at over ₦3 billion.

    The programme, which began on Monday, marks a significant milestone in the NEDC’s efforts to strengthen specialist healthcare services and reduce the incidence of preventable blindness across the North-East.

    It was gathered that activities at the facility commenced with the installation, calibration and coupling of the state-of-the-art equipment, alongside hands-on technical and clinical training for hospital personnel to ensure effective and sustainable utilisation.

    The training programme is being led by the Chief Consultant in Ophthalmology, Prof. Abdull Mohammed Mahdi, with support from Dr. Abuh Sunday and a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering experts.

    Hospital authorities confirmed that participants drawn from the Maiduguri Eye Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) include consultant ophthalmologists, resident doctors, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and biomedical engineers.

    They are currently undergoing intensive practical sessions focused on equipment operation, maintenance and efficient clinical application.

    The authorities of the NEDC said the intervention would significantly boost the hospital’s diagnostic and surgical capacity, particularly in the treatment of cataract and glaucoma, while supporting its long-term goal of transforming the Maiduguri Eye Hospital into a regional centre of excellence.

    In addition to the equipment deployment, the Commission is carrying out extensive renovations and infrastructure upgrades at the hospital to enhance modern clinical operations and patient experience.

    It was learnt that similar ophthalmic interventions are also underway across the North-East, including the construction of an ultra-modern Eye Institute at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi, which began last year and is slated for accelerated implementation this year.

    The Commission, through its Media Department, described the initiative as a strategic investment that combines advanced medical infrastructure with targeted human capacity development.

    The NEDC emphasized that the ₦3 billion intervention programme would have a lasting impact on access to quality eye-care services in the region, in addition to various ongoing infrastructure projects in the six states of the region. 

  • Insurgency: Ndume urges FG to back Borno on IDPs’ resettlement

    Insurgency: Ndume urges FG to back Borno on IDPs’ resettlement

    Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent humanitarian steps to support the Borno State Government in resettling, reconstructing and rehabilitating victims displaced by over a decade of insurgency.

    Ndume made the appeal at a Christmas luncheon he organised in collaboration with the Coalition of Christian Youths (Youth-CAN) for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Centre in Borno State.

    A statement from his office in Abuja said the event attracted hundreds of displaced persons, traditional rulers, political leaders, religious figures, youth representatives and other community stakeholders.

    The lawmaker commended Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, describing him as a leader with exceptional commitment to humanitarian recovery, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Gwoza Local Government Area.

    “Out of the 27 local governments in Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has shown uncommon love, courage and dedication to Gwoza and other communities affected by insurgency,” Ndume said.

    Responding to appeals by the displaced persons for assistance to return to their ancestral homes, the senator assured them that he would convey their requests to Governor Zulum.

    “It pleases me to hear that you personally requested my support to take you back home. We will ensure your return. We are fortunate to have a governor who truly cares about his people, and I will engage him directly on this matter,” he said.

    Ndume also pledged to facilitate the safe and dignified return of IDPs currently taking refuge at the Minawao Camp in Cameroon to their communities in Borno State.

    At the event, the senator announced the distribution of 200 bags of rice and cash assistance. 

    According to him, 30 bags were given to Youth-CAN, 20 bags used for the Christmas luncheon, 100 bags distributed to IDPs at the CAN Centre, while 50 bags were shared among IDPs in other camps across the state.

    He added that similar Christmas engagements would be extended to Bayan Dutse, noting that many of the displaced persons originated from Ngoshe, Ashigashiya, Pulka and other communities in Gwoza Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Extend U.S–Nigeria military strikes against terrorists to northeast, Ndume tells FG

    Earlier, the Chairman of Indigenous Pastors of Borno State, Rev. Waziri Dibal, thanked Ndume for organising the luncheon and appealed for sustained legislative and governmental support to ensure the return of displaced persons to their homes.

    Also speaking, Chairman of Borno State Christian Youths, Barr. Ephraim Yidawi, commended the senator for identifying with the youths and urged greater involvement of Christian youth organisations in the repatriation and reintegration of refugees from Cameroon.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr. Yohana expressed appreciation to Ndume for his material support and for personally attending the event, describing his presence as a symbol of unity, inclusion and empathy.

    Goodwill messages were delivered by the APC Assistant Financial Secretary, Hon. Luka Apagu Mussa, and the Camp Chairman, Mr. John Gwoma Haghaya, who praised the senator’s intervention and acknowledged Governor Zulum’s sustained humanitarian leadership.

    The event ended with the symbolic serving of meals, traditional dance performances and communal celebrations, leaving the displaced persons with renewed hope and confidence in ongoing efforts to restore dignity and stability to affected communities.

  • JUST IN: Tinubu commissions projects in Borno

    JUST IN: Tinubu commissions projects in Borno

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for what he described as commendable people-oriented governance and sustained commitment to the welfare of residents.

    The President gave the commendation on Monday during a state visit to Borno State, where he commissioned a fleet of transport vehicles, including 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 48-seater buses, 3,000 buses, 500 tricycles and 100 electric motorcycles.

    “Government is all about the people, and Prof. Babagana Zulum is doing very well in caring for his people. I commend him for the excellent job he is doing for the people of Borno State. These vehicles will ease urban transportation and reduce the hardship faced by residents,” Tinubu said.

    After commissioning the vehicles at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, the President also inaugurated the Mafoni Junior and Senior Secondary School, located near the palace of the Shehu of Borno.

    The school, named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Day Secondary School in honour of the President, is one of over 100 mega schools constructed by the Zulum administration across the state.

    Amid cheers from students who sang a mandate song in his honour, Tinubu proceeded with Governor Zulum to cut the ribbon, formally opening the school.

    Briefing the President, the Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, said the school has 48 classrooms with capacity to accommodate 300 students. He added that the facility is equipped with modern laboratories, full internet connectivity and solar-powered energy systems.

    Following the commissioning ceremonies, President Tinubu attended the wedding of Sadeep Ali Modu Sheriff, son of his political ally and former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The President later departed Maiduguri for Bauchi State, where he is scheduled to pay condolence visits to the state over the death of renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

  • Suicide bomber kills five soldiers in Borno

    Suicide bomber kills five soldiers in Borno

    Not fewer than five soldiers have been killed by a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka around Gwoza, Borno State.

    The Nigerian Army is yet to make a statement on the attack but a security source and some local media have reported that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

    The source said the suicide bomber evaded security checks and stole his way to a military check point where he passed the night, hidding behind sandbags untill morning when he executed his deadly mission as the soldiers arrived the following day.

    According to the source, the suicide bomber came from the Mandara Hills.

    “He made his way from Mandara Mountain and spent the night at a military sandbag and waited until morning when soldiers who were manning the axis arrived.

    ‘The terrorist approached the soldiers and detonated the bomb that was strapped to his body, killing five soldiers and himself at the spot,’’ the source added.

  • Borno ambush: Army debunks kidnap claim… confirms death of two soldiers, two civilians JTF

    Borno ambush: Army debunks kidnap claim… confirms death of two soldiers, two civilians JTF

    The Nigerian Army High Command has debunked a report by some online platforms of the abduction of a Brigade Commander during a terrorists’ ambush along Damboa road in Borno State.

    The Army’s High Command, in a statement through the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele, on Saturday, described the report as “fake news” and urged the public to disregard it in its entirety.

    Giving an explanation about the incident that happened Friday night, the statement said troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, on routine patrol to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azi Multe, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, came under sudden and heavy insurgent fire while returning from a successful patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

    According to the statement, the patrol team was led by the Commander 25 Brigade Brigadier General M Uba, and comprised troops of 25 Task Force Brigade and members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

    It said the troops courageously fought through the insurgents ambush with superior fire power, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and to abandon their mission.

    “During the encounter two brave soldiers and two heroic CJTF members paid the supreme price while on active service to the nation,” the statement said.

    While commending the troops for their gallantry, the Army high command commiserates with families and associates of the deceased gallants for their heroic sacrifice to the nation. 

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, salutes the uncommon bravery, resilience and sacrifice of the gallant troops who have continued to operate in one of the most dangerous theatres of conflict on behalf of our dear nation. 

    “Their unflinching commitment, even in the face of grave danger, remains a powerful reminder of the daily sacrifices being made by our gallant service men and women to keep Nigeria safe,” the statement added.

  • Troops neutralise nine ISWAP terrorists in ongoing onslaught in Borno

    Troops neutralise nine ISWAP terrorists in ongoing onslaught in Borno

    Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have continued to record successes in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists in the North East.

    In the latest feat, the troops neutralised nine terrorists and recovered five AK-47 rifles, several rounds of ammunition, and other logistics items.

    According to the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the feat was in compliance with the recent directive of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Waidi Shaibu.

    The COAS had directed troops, during his last operational visit to the North East, to sustain pressure on the remnants of terrorist groups through aggressive clearance and offensive operations across all fronts.

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    Giving details of the operation, Lt Col. Uba said: “troops of Sector 1 in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) made contact with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on 12 November, 2025 at Yanaga Ari in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “During the encounter, nine terrorists were neutralised, while five AK 47 rifles, several rounds of ammunition, and other logistics items were recovered.”

    He said the military high command had commended the troops for their “impressive gallantry and proactiveness”, urging them to remain focused, vigilant, and committed to restoring lasting peace in the North East Region.

  • 74 corps members escape terrorists’ abduction in Borno

    74 corps members escape terrorists’ abduction in Borno

    Seventy-four National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have escaped abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

    They escaped abduction through the swift intervention of troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military operation against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the North East.

    The corps members comprised 36 males and 38 females.

    Explaining the situation, the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col. Sani Uba, said the possible abduction of the corps members was foiled at about 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after their vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot.

    According to Uba, a military patrol team was “swiftly” deployed to the scene after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, monitored by troops, detected suspicious movement involving three buses at the location.

    Read Also: Air strikes kill terrorists in Borno, pound hideouts in Katsina, Kwara

    “On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults.

    “The troops immediately rescued them to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area,” Uba said.

    He said the rescued NYSC members are currently being accommodated at the Buratai military base, pending further arrangements for their safe movement.