Soldiers kill Boko Haram fighter, foil abduction, levy collection in NW states

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province extortion mission in Yobe State, killing one terrorist and recovering weapons, ammunition and logistics items.

The operation, carried out by troops of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, also disrupted an alleged attempt by the terrorists to collect illegal levies from residents, cutting off one of their suspected sources of funding.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence on the movement of two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and motorcycles conveying suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to collect illegal levies from local communities, troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bukarti, in conjunction with 27 Task Force Brigade, swiftly deployed on an aggressive fighting patrol to the Paya Kafiya axis at about on 19 July 2026,” the statement read.

it added, “The troops made contact with the terrorists and immediately engaged them with overwhelming and superior firepower.

“During the ensuing firefight, one of the Volkswagen Golf vehicles was successfully engaged and immobilised, while its driver was neutralised.

“Unable to withstand the troops’ overwhelming combat superiority, four other terrorists abandoned the vehicle and fled into the surrounding bush with gunshot wounds.”

Operation HADIN KAI said follow-up exploitation operations conducted on July 20 along the Paya Kafiya-Garin Gada axis led to the recovery of the abandoned Volkswagen Golf vehicle.

Items recovered included 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs, including paracetamol and nicotine products, as well as mechanical tools believed to have supported terrorist logistics operations.

The military said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in disrupting terrorist logistics and dismantling illicit revenue networks.

It added that Operation HADIN KAI would sustain pressure on terrorist groups through intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and with the support of law-abiding citizens until lasting peace and security are restored across the North-East.

Similarly, toops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued kidnapped victims, foiled an attempted abduction and arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers transporting 10 motorcycles in separate operations across Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

The Joint Task Force (North West) disclosed the successes in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, the operations were carried out on July 19 and 20 as part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and deny criminal groups freedom of action across the North-West.

In Zamfara State, troops responded to a distress call from residents of Shiyan Abiyola in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area on July 20 after terrorists attempted to abduct civilians from a residence.

The military said the swift intervention forced the attackers to flee without carrying out the abduction.

“The prompt intervention of the troops forced the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee, leading to the successful rescue of several residents. Troops subsequently dominated the general area to forestall any further threat,” the statement said.

In a separate operation on July 19, troops on patrol in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued three kidnapped victims who escaped from a terrorist hideout during a heavy downpour while their captors were asleep.

The victims were said to have been abducted on July 14 while working on their farms in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to the military, the victims have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.

“Also, on 19 July 2026, troops intercepted a vehicle conveying ten motorcycles suspected to be destined for terrorist elements during a routine stop-and-search operation in Kebbi State.

“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of four additional suspects believed to have been sent to receive the motorcycles on behalf of a known terrorist collaborator.

“The suspects and the recovered motorcycles remain in custody for further investigation and necessary action,” the military stated.

Commending the troops, the Theatre Command praised their professionalism and vigilance in disrupting terrorist activities across the region.

“The Theatre Command commends the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response in denying terrorists freedom of action.

“We also appreciate members of the public for their continued support and timely provision of credible information, urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies as ongoing operations continue to degrade terrorist and criminal networks across the theatre,” the statement added.