Troops Crush Coordinated Terror Attacks in Borno, Neutralise Dozens in Precision Air-Land Assaults
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have decisively foiled coordinated terrorist attacks in Limankara and Kukawa, Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and destroying key logistics assets in a series of fierce engagements.
The failed assaults, launched on the night of February 20, 2026, were described as desperate attempts by embattled terrorists facing mounting pressure on their enclaves, logistics corridors and leadership structures across the theatre of operations.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the military said sustained offensive operations and targeted decapitation efforts have continued to deny terrorists freedom of action, forcing them into chaotic withdrawals under heavy losses.
15 Terrorists Killed in Lamusheri Raid
In an expansion of offensive pressure, troops of Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V carried out a precision strike in the early hours of February 22 around Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area.
The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering, supported by satellite imagery and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) air platforms, which identified the village as a key terrorist launch pad and logistics hub.
Despite coming under fire during their approach, troops—working in synergy with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force—outflanked the insurgents and cut off their withdrawal routes.
During the ensuing firefight and exploitation phase, 15 terrorists were neutralised, while several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds. Troops destroyed extensive defensive and life-support structures, set ablaze five terrorist tricycles and two vehicles used for logistics and attacks, and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, bandoliers and carmel pouches.
FOB Limankara Attack Repelled
On the same night, terrorists in unconfirmed numbers attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Limankara. Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight, deploying disciplined firepower and coordinated tactics.
Rapid reinforcement, backed by air support from the Air Component Command, overwhelmed the insurgents, forcing them to retreat through the burial ground axis. The military confirmed that there were no casualties or equipment losses on the side of the troops, while human intelligence sources indicated significant terrorist casualties.
The situation in Limankara, according to the military, remains firmly under control.
Gun Trucks Destroyed in Kukawa Battle
In a related development, terrorists mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles launched a coordinated multi-pronged attack on troops in Kukawa from the Alagarno and Jemmu axes.
Anticipating the assault, troops mounted a determined defence, engaging the attackers in an intense firefight that stretched into the early hours of February 21. Superior firepower and coordinated ground resistance, complemented by air support, forced the insurgents to withdraw while dragging away their casualties.
Air platforms subsequently executed precision strikes, destroying one terrorist gun truck and killing four fighters aboard. Persistent aerial surveillance tracked fleeing insurgents on five motorcycles to a convergence point, where another precision strike eliminated the motorcycles and neutralised an additional 10 fighters.
During post-strike exploitation, troops recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 16 loaded magazines, three handheld communication radios, terrorist stretchers, as well as shallow graves and blood trails left behind by the retreating insurgents.
One Soldier Falls, Others Stable
Regrettably, one soldier paid the supreme price during the engagements, while some combat enablers were destroyed by rocket fire. Wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and are reported to be in stable condition.
The coordinated air and land offensives significantly compounded enemy losses and reinforced OPHK’s operational dominance across multiple fronts.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their impressive battle performance and urged them to sustain the current operational tempo in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the North East.
