RismadarVoice Reporters
September 15, 2026
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed more than 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists and arrested 758 suspected logistics collaborators during the 17-month tenure of the immediate past Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Abubakar disclosed this on Tuesday at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, during the formal handover of command to his successor, Major General Ibikunle Ajose.
He said several senior terrorist commanders were among those killed during military operations, including Abu Bilal Al-Muniki, also known as Abu Mainok; Malam Jidda, Amir of Ngorgore/Malumti villages; Abu Modu; Modu Dogo; Munzir of Dogon Chukun; Abu Aisha, Qaid of Tumbun Mota; and Abul Kaka.
According to him, troops also recovered more than 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres during the period.
Abubakar added that 295 improvised explosive devices were discovered and detonated from April 2025 to September 2026, while more than N300 million allegedly linked to terrorist financiers was intercepted.
He attributed the achievements to the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and other stakeholders involved in the counter-insurgency campaign.
The outgoing commander said more than 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities, with several previously deserted communities becoming reoccupied across Borno State.
He also disclosed that more than 3,000 Nigerians had been voluntarily repatriated from Cameroon through an exercise coordinated by the Borno State Government, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Abubakar said the return of residents had contributed to improved normalcy in parts of the state.
“The signs of normalcy are visible; the NYSC Orientation Scheme returned to Maiduguri after more than 13 years, WAEC and NECO examinations are now written in communities like Banki and Gwoza, while trade routes have reopened and local markets have come back to life,” he said.
He further disclosed that more than 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members had surrendered within the past year, attributing the development to sustained military pressure and the availability of non-kinetic options for insurgents willing to abandon terrorism.
The outgoing commander said 638 civilians had also been rescued from terrorist enclaves during the period, while all 46 students abducted during an attempted attack on the Federal Government Girls College, Monguno, were safely rescued.
According to Abubakar, the theatre also recorded operational improvements through the activation of Sector 4 to bridge the security gap between Southern Borno and Northern Adamawa.
He said the deployment of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment had strengthened precision air operations.
Abubakar added that the Military Command and Control Centre had been connected to surveillance cameras deployed along frontline areas to improve situational awareness.
He said the ultimate objective of the counter-insurgency campaign remained the restoration of normal life, including reopening schools, markets and farms and enabling displaced families to return to their communities.
The former theatre commander commended President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for their support.
He also acknowledged the contributions of humanitarian organisations, international partners, the media, the Civilian Joint Task Force and other hybrid forces, urging them to extend similar support to his successor.
In his acceptance speech, Ajose pledged to build on the gains recorded in the fight against terrorism and work towards achieving lasting peace in the North-East.
Ajose, a 43rd Regular Course infantry officer who has served at battalion, brigade and division levels, also appealed to stakeholders to support the military in its efforts to consolidate security gains across the region.
The handover ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to individuals recognised for their contributions to the counter-insurgency campaign.
Among the award recipients were the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Borno State Council, Comrade Abdulkareem Hthe aruna, and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel in the state, Comrade Inusa Ndahi.
