Odita Sunday 
Troops Of Operation Hadin Kai Clear Terrorist Camps, Repel Drone Attacks In North East Offensive
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have sustained the momentum of their ongoing offensive under Operation DESERT SANITY, recording fresh operational successes against terrorist elements operating within the Timbuktu Triangle.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed that on Sunday, January 18, 2026, troops advanced from their harbour locations to conduct deliberate, intelligence-led operations across identified terrorist enclaves, including Chilaria, Garin Faruk, and Abirma. The ground operations were effectively supported by the Air Component of OPHK, which provided continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), enabling real-time monitoring of terrorist movements and preventing reinforcement of hostile elements.
The coordinated air-to-ground synergy, the military said, significantly enhanced operational precision and boosted troops’ confidence on the battlefield, leading to the successful clearance and destruction of multiple terrorist camps.
During the operations, troops recovered a cache of arms, logistics, and materials linked to terrorist activities. Items recovered included Baofeng radios, mobile phones, five AK-47 magazines, several rounds of 7.62×39mm special ammunition, 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition, Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, links of 12.7×108mm ammunition, diesel-powered grinding machines, medical supplies, bags of grains, a pickup truck, underground logistics storage facilities, and a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) dump.
The recoveries, according to Uba, have further degraded the operational and logistical capabilities of the terrorists.
The offensive, however, was met with resistance as advancing troops came under armed drone attacks by the terrorists around midday. Despite the threat, troops maintained their momentum and pressed on with the operation. A second drone attack attempt later in the evening was also decisively repelled, forcing the terrorists to retreat and reaffirming the dominance of OPHK forces in the area.
He noted that despite sustained engagements, troop morale remains high, with fighting efficiency fully maintained. While the general security situation in the area is described as calm, it remains unpredictable, prompting troops to stay alert and at a high state of readiness.
The Military High Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the offensive, stressing that troops remain resolute in their mission to eliminate terrorist threats, protect civilians, and restore lasting peace and stability across the North East.
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