Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working in close collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have recovered a fresh cache of weapons from suspected insurgents during a military operation along the Mafa border corridor in Borno State.
According to a military report released on Sunday, the weapons recovered include three AK-47 rifles and five magazines, all believed to be part of the remaining arms stockpile of insurgent fighters previously engaged in battle with the troops.
The operation was intelligence-led and conducted as a follow-up to a prior encounter on August 7, during which several terrorists were neutralised in a fierce gun battle.
Military sources revealed that the recent operation was aimed at clearing remaining pockets of insurgent presence and retrieving any weapons left behind after the August 7 confrontation.
“This sweep was necessary to ensure no arms are left in the hands of fleeing terrorists,” the report noted. “The recovered rifles and magazines were hidden in a remote area along the Mafa corridor and were uncovered following precise intelligence sharing between troops and local CJTF units.”
The Mafa corridor, located in Borno’s north-eastern region, has long served as a transit route for insurgent movements and logistics. Operations in this area are crucial to cutting off supply lines and disrupting terrorist regrouping efforts.
Operation Hadin Kai, launched in 2021, is Nigeria’s main counterinsurgency campaign in the North-East and has been at the forefront of efforts to push back Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements. Over the years, it has combined conventional military force with community-based intelligence to improve effectiveness.
The collaboration with the Civilian JTF, made up of local volunteers and former vigilantes, continues to play a key role in locating terrorist hideouts and intercepting movements. Their local knowledge of the terrain has helped Nigerian forces launch more targeted operations with fewer civilian casualties.
Following the latest recovery, military authorities commended the troops and CJTF operatives for their commitment and professionalism. They also called for continued vigilance and more intelligence-driven operations to consolidate recent gains.
A senior military officer in the theatre command stated, “This recovery is a direct result of our renewed focus on intelligence sharing and local collaboration. Our goal is to ensure that these weapons never return to circulation or are used to harm innocent Nigerians.”
He added that sustained pressure on terrorist camps, hideouts, and supply routes remains central to the success of the wider counterinsurgency campaign in the region.
Over the past year, military forces have intensified operations in several parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, leading to the recovery of weapons, destruction of insurgent camps, and rescue of kidnapped civilians. Thousands of former fighters have also surrendered and are undergoing rehabilitation under the Federal Government’s Safe Corridor Programme.
However, security analysts warn that despite these gains, Boko Haram and ISWAP still pose a threat, especially in rural communities where government presence is limited. The recovery of arms like AK-47s continues to raise concerns about how well-armed these groups remain.
“Every rifle recovered means one less weapon in the hands of terrorists, but it also shows that there are still hidden stockpiles across the region,” said Ibrahim Musa, a security analyst based in Maiduguri. “The military must keep up the pressure and stay ahead through constant surveillance.”
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to ending the insurgency, which has lasted over 14 years, displacing millions and leading to tens of thousands of deaths. President Bola Tinubu, who took office in 2023, has made national security a top priority, promising to invest more in military equipment, personnel welfare, and regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, residents of Mafa and nearby communities have expressed relief over the ongoing operations, calling for more security presence and reconstruction support.
“We want to return to normal life, but we need the government to keep securing these areas,” said Musa Abacha, a local trader. “Many of us want to farm again, but we’re still afraid of sudden attacks.”
As Operation Hadin Kai continues to press forward, military officials have assured that more intelligence-led missions will be launched in the coming weeks to mop up arms and flush out any remaining insurgents hiding in hard-to-reach areas.
“We are determined to secure every inch of Nigerian territory,” the theatre command said in a statement. “No hiding place will be left for terrorists.”
