Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on multiple locations across the Joint Operations Area in the early hours of Thursday, 23 October 2025.

Between midnight and 4:00 a.m., terrorists launched simultaneous assaults on military positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo (Borno State) and Katarko (Yobe State), within Sectors 1 and 2 of the operation. In all instances, troops displayed exceptional courage and professionalism, standing their ground and decisively defeating the attackers.

The troops’ counteroffensive was strongly supported by air components from the Air Component Command of OPHK, whose precision airstrikes, guided by enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, provided tactical superiority and enabled an overwhelming and lethal response.

The joint ground and air operations resulted in the elimination of over 50 terrorists. Troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, 7 PKT machine guns, 5 RPG tubes, 2 GPMGs, several hand grenades, and thousands of assorted ammunition of various calibres. Over 70 wounded terrorists are currently being pursued by ground troops in coordination with the air component.

Intelligence reports revealed that the terrorists who attacked Dikwa and Gajibo infiltrated from the Cameroon axis, while those that attacked Katarko advanced from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.

Although some gallant soldiers sustained injuries, they are all reported to be in stable condition. A few vehicles and buildings were damaged by fire from enemy drones and RPGs, particularly in Mafa and Dikwa, where part of the defensive perimeter was briefly breached before being fully secured.

The Military High Command has commended the bravery, resilience, and renewed fighting spirit of the troops, describing their outstanding performance as another clear demonstration of the Armed Forces’ determination and capacity to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The Command further assured that with the deployment of more personnel and advanced combat equipment into the theatre, terrorists will continue to face overwhelming defeat.

---