The Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in a carefully planned and intelligence-led operation, has successfully conducted a precision air strike on a recognised terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successful strike, carried out on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.
It is recalled that in January 2026, troops moving from Gubio towards Damasak were subjected to a major Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack along the road at Bindul, resulting in the tragic loss of eight soldiers, with several others wounded in action.
A statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, stated that more recently, on 9 April, coordinated attacks occurred in Ngamdu and Benisheik, supported by the same terrorist logistics network.
Consequently, the Theatre intensified overhead surveillance and intelligence gathering across the area in response to ongoing reports of terrorist movement and logistics activities.
On 11 April 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP gun trucks (GT) and motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis.
In response, ISR coverage over the area was immediately increased. During the surveillance mission, a group of motorcycles was observed moving towards Jilli, followed shortly by several additional vehicles, all converging on the same location.
These suspicious movements were corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging parties were terrorists, their collaborators, and logistics handlers.
Following established operational procedures, a precise and professional targeting process was undertaken. Target fidelity was confirmed through multiple credible Human Intelligence sources, supported by persistent aerial surveillance.
Once validated, the Air Component executed a series of precision strikes on the target, while surveillance platforms maintained continuous overwatch for real-time battle damage assessment.
Post-strike assessment confirmed that the area was hit with high accuracy, leading to the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Scores of terrorists were neutralised, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were seen fleeing in multiple directions.
Intelligence further indicates that the neutralised elements were in the final stages of receiving logistics from couriers for coordinated attacks on troop positions within the Gubio axis.
This decisive action has significantly disrupted imminent terrorist plans and degraded their operational capacity within the Theatre.
On 12 April 2026, a terrorist logistics courier named “Turja Bulu” was arrested in Ngamdu Town. During preliminary investigation, he confessed to participating in the attack at 29 Bde on 9 April 2026 in Benisheik. He stated he was dispatched by ISWAP from Jilli, where most of his fellow terrorists were hiding, to deliver food items for another group of terrorists in the Magumeri-Gubio area.
This successful strike once again showcases the resolve and operational capability of OPHK to maintain relentless pressure on terrorist elements, disrupt their logistics networks, and restrict their freedom of movement within the Theatre.
The Theatre Command also wishes to urgently reiterate that motorcycles remain strictly prohibited across the North East operational theatre, especially in Borno and Yobe States, due to their continued use by terrorists for movement, logistics, and attacks.
Any such movements in restricted areas are treated with utmost seriousness, in accordance with existing operational directives.
The Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK assures the good people of the North East, and all law-abiding Nigerians, that ongoing operations will persist with renewed vigour until all terrorist enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace restored to the region.
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