Troops Kill 2 Boko Haram Commanders, 8 Others In Foiled Borno Ambush

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

A statement issued by the media information officer of OPHK, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, to journalists on Friday morning in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, said the insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire, but impressively troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists including two of their senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida.

He said follow-up pursuit and exploitation of the area led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, five motorcycles, two hand grenades, two Baofeng radios, 12 x AK-47 magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags as well as iron bars and IED accessories.

Lt. Col, Uba said on a seperate offensive axis, troops of Sector 1 OPHK further made contact around the Malkube area, recovering additional AK47 rifles, ammunition, and communication devices, while two terrorists were neutralised without casualties to personnel.

“Earlier in the day, another Battle Group from Sector 1 engaged Boko Haram/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura into Nigeria, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. Exploitation of the area yielded insurgent equipment and supplies, including 2 motorcycles, further denying the terrorists freedom of action.”

He further added that, “Troops morale and combat efficiency remain high and operations would be sustained across the entire North-East region. Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational tempo.”