By Bavoriat Clara
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded a major operational breakthrough with the capture and destruction of notorious ISWAP terrorist detention facilities hidden deep within the forested Timbuktu Triangle in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. The successful operation, conducted over the last two weeks, marks a significant push into areas previously considered beyond the reach of security forces and highlights the growing effectiveness of sustained counter-insurgency efforts in the North East.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the operation was carried out under Operation DESERT SANITY V. He explained that sustained offensive pressure and intelligence-driven manoeuvres forced terrorist elements to abandon critical facilities within their inner sanctuaries.
According to him, the exposure and destruction of the camps clearly demonstrate that OPHK troops have advanced deep into ISWAP strongholds, denying the group both physical space and psychological advantage.
The statement revealed that from 21 January 2026 to date, troops uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities concealed within the Timbuktu Triangle forest, which spans parts of Borno and Yobe States. Preliminary assessments showed that the facilities had the capacity to hold up to 300 detainees, underscoring their strategic importance to ISWAP’s operational and coercive framework.
It was further disclosed that sustained military pressure directly led to the escape of more than 70 captives who were being held by the terrorists. Several of the escapees later resurfaced in communities including Goniri, Buratai and Mandaragirau, corroborating the impact of the operation.
One of the escapees, Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, a native of Kufi village near Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, who was abducted on 22 December 2025, recounted that he escaped during a gun duel between ISWAP fighters and advancing troops in the Timbuktu Triangle.
During the series of encounters, ISWAP reportedly suffered heavy losses, with no fewer than 32 fighters neutralised, including two Qaids and three Munzirs, while several others sustained serious injuries in fierce engagements with troops.
Following thorough clearance of the area, the three detention facilities were deliberately demolished to permanently deny the terrorists the opportunity to reuse or reoccupy the sites. The operation was described as successful and incident-free, reflecting the resilience, professionalism, discipline and combat effectiveness of OPHK troops.
The military noted that the destruction of the detention camps goes beyond a tactical victory, as it degrades ISWAP’s internal enforcement structures, disrupts its ability to detain civilians and extort ransom, and further restricts the group’s freedom of action. The escape of a large number of detainees also weakens terrorist control over local populations and could provide valuable intelligence to support ongoing operations.
While the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, the statement affirmed that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high. The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated their commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements, denying them safe havens, and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.
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