Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have recorded major gains in northern Borno State after clearing several terrorist camps and successfully repelling both drone and ground attacks by insurgents.
The operation, known as Operation Desert Sanity, is part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle the remaining strongholds of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram factions in the North-East.
According to military sources, the latest phase of the operation began in the early hours of January 18, when troops from the Army’s Intervention Battalion moved out from a harbour area to conduct clearance operations across a wide and difficult terrain.
The areas covered during the operation included known insurgent hideouts around the Chiralia, Garin Faruk, and Abima axis of northern Borno. These locations have long been used by terrorists as transit routes, training grounds, and temporary camps.
The sources said the troops moved carefully and systematically, clearing several locations that showed signs of recent human activity. However, many of the camps had been hastily abandoned by the terrorists before the soldiers arrived.
According to the sources, this development suggests that sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations are forcing terrorist fighters to flee their bases to avoid confrontation with security forces.
“The troops methodically cleared several locations and camps that showed signs of recent human activity but had been hastily deserted before their arrival,” one of the sources said.
The operation, however, took a dangerous turn at about 12:40 p.m., when the advancing troops came under what was described as a rare and worrying attack by a terrorist-operated armed drone.
Military sources said the drone strike injured three soldiers, marking one of the few times insurgents in the North-East have attempted to use armed drones against Nigerian troops.
The injured soldiers were quickly evacuated and are currently in stable condition, receiving medical care at a military medical facility.
Despite the surprise drone attack, the troops did not retreat. Instead, they reorganised and continued the clearance operation, maintaining pressure on the terrorists.
“Despite the drone attack, the troops maintained momentum and continued the clearance,” the source said.
During the operation, the soldiers recovered several items believed to belong to ISWAP fighters who fled the area. These items provided further evidence of terrorist presence and activities in the cleared locations.
Recovered items included a Baofeng radio set, a small button phone, five empty AK-47 magazines, 63 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition, and 71 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition.
The troops also found empty 12.7 x 108mm links, several Boko Haram and ISWAP flags, as well as an unquantified quantity of medical supplies believed to have been used to treat injured fighters.
Later in the day, after the troops had settled into a new harbour area, the terrorists attempted a ground assault in what appeared to be a desperate effort to disrupt the operation.
According to sources, the attack occurred at about 7:10 p.m. and lasted for roughly 25 minutes.
The attackers were, however, decisively repelled by the troops, who maintained control of the situation throughout the encounter.
“The troops maintained control of the situation, and the area remained under firm military dominance,” a source said.
The successful defence against both aerial and ground attacks has been described by military observers as a significant achievement, especially given the challenging terrain and evolving tactics of insurgent groups.
Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s main counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, covering Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa states. It involves the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and other security agencies working together to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Over the years, the operation has recorded several successes, including the destruction of major terrorist camps, the rescue of kidnapped civilians, and the killing or arrest of key insurgent leaders.
However, the use of a drone by terrorists has raised fresh concerns among security analysts. While insurgents have previously used drones mainly for surveillance and propaganda, attempts to weaponise them signal a possible shift in tactics.
Northern Borno, where the latest operation took place, remains one of the most active theatres of insurgency in Nigeria. The area’s rugged terrain, forests, and remote settlements have made it difficult to completely flush out terrorist elements.
Despite these challenges, the military says it has intensified operations under Operation Desert Sanity, aimed at clearing remaining terrorist enclaves and preventing fighters from regrouping.
Residents of communities near the affected areas have welcomed the military’s efforts, saying sustained operations have reduced the frequency of attacks and allowed some displaced persons to consider returning home.
A resident of a nearby community said, “We are seeing more soldiers now, and the terrorists don’t move freely like before. We hope the military will continue.”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its commitment to ending the over-a-decade-long insurgency in the North-East. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, creating one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises.
In recent months, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have stepped up joint operations, combining ground offensives with air support, intelligence gathering, and cooperation with local vigilante groups.
Military authorities say the goal is not only to defeat the terrorists but also to create a secure environment that allows humanitarian agencies to operate and communities to rebuild.
The latest operation in northern Borno, despite the injuries sustained by three soldiers, is being seen as a sign of resilience and determination by Nigerian troops.
As operations continue, the military has assured Nigerians that it remains focused on protecting lives and property and adapting to emerging threats in the fight against terrorism.