RismadarVoice Reporters
October 30, 2026
The Nigerian military has announced the killing of 48 suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during attacks on military positions in Borno and Yobe states, which also claimed the life of one soldier.
The Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed that the engagements occurred between October 29 and 30, 2026, at Bitta in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and the North East Theatre Training School (NETTS) in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops successfully repelled the attacks through coordinated ground and air operations.
According to Goni, suspected insurgents launched an assault on the military position in Bitta on Thursday night, but soldiers, supported by air assets, overwhelmed the attackers and inflicted casualties.
He explained that a separate group of ISWAP fighters subsequently attacked the military training facility in Buni Yadi, triggering an intense confrontation that lasted approximately five hours.
The counter-offensive involved intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities, alongside coordinated air and ground support under the supervision of the Theatre Command.
Goni disclosed that 48 suspected terrorists were killed during the counter-offensive, while troops recovered a substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition.
The recovered items included 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns, one 60mm mortar, 105 AK-47 magazines and two video cameras.
Other recovered materials reportedly included 30 rounds of 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition, 2,738 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 2,054 rounds of PKT ammunition.
However, the military confirmed that one soldier was killed during the engagements, while two others sustained minor injuries and were receiving medical treatment.
Goni expressed condolences over the soldier’s death and maintained that troop morale remained high despite the casualties.
The military described the operations as significant setbacks for insurgent groups attempting to attack security installations across the North-East.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks, protecting communities and restoring security across the region.
