A major catastrophe was averted in Borno State today as troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, who successfully neutralized three suicide bombers and several armed escorts during a high-stakes operation in Gwoza Local Government Area. The operation was carried out along the Guduf–Pulka axis following actionable intelligence that indicated the movement of suicide bombers toward civilian-populated areas.
Acting on the information, military forces, in collaboration with local volunteer groups, mounted a covert surveillance and tracking mission. This led to the successful interception of the terrorists before they could reach their intended targets.
According to military sources, the suicide bombers were engaged and neutralized in a controlled encounter, preventing what could have resulted in mass civilian casualties. The troops also engaged the armed terrorists escorting the bombers, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the surviving elements to flee toward the Mandara Mountains under sustained fire.
Following the encounter, troops recovered suicide vests and various Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components. These materials were immediately secured and rendered safe by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles abandoned by the fleeing insurgents, while two motorcycles used for logistics were destroyed.
Preliminary intelligence assessments reveal that the bombers were dispatched from hideouts in the Mandara Mountains by the Ali Ngulde-led Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram. The faction has continued to attempt the deployment of suicide operatives against soft targets despite ongoing military pressure.
In response to the foiled plot, the Theatre Command has intensified operations across known terrorist enclaves, focusing on detecting and neutralizing suicide networks through a combination of human intelligence and communication intercepts.
Authorities have also strengthened collaboration with community-based volunteer groups and other security agencies across Borno and Yobe States to prevent infiltration. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest security post.
