Nigerian troops repel Boko Haram attack, rescue nine abductees in Borno

Troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State. The military announced significant operational successes between June 11 and 12, 2026, including the rescue of nine abducted civilians and the arrest of individuals suspected of collaborating with insurgents.

In one operation, troops in Sector 2 rescued three children, Ali Usman, 15, Umar Ibrahim Abubakar, 15, and Fatima Abubakar, 12, near the Amuda area. Preliminary investigations indicated the children escaped from terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains following sustained military offensives. After documentation, the children were safely reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe. Additionally, Sector 3 troops rescued six civilians during a foiled kidnapping attempt along the Damasak-Gubio Main Supply Route, as terrorists fled pursuing soldiers near Kareto.

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After profiling and documentation, the children were safely reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe.

The military also reported intercepting suspected insurgent collaborators and logistics suppliers. Troops at the 68 Battalion in Mallam Fatori ambushed suspected ISWAP reconnaissance operatives, seizing an AK-47 rifle with 31 rounds of ammunition. At Check Point 61, 11 suspects traveling in two vehicles were intercepted under suspicious circumstances. Investigations linked them to attempts to recover vehicles used by known terrorist logistics collaborators near Ali Sheriffti.

Further successes included the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics courier, Malahi Liman Muhammad, along the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari axis. Recovered items included herbicides, blankets, salt, food supplies, and mobile phones intended for terrorist support. The statement also confirmed that troops successfully repelled a major attack by heavily armed Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on a Forward Operating Base at COP Bridge on June 12.

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Preliminary investigations linked the individuals to attempts at recovering vehicles belonging to known terrorist logistics collaborators previously sighted supporting insurgent activities around Ali Sheriffti.