Sahel Reporter

The Nigerian military has achieved a major turning point in its fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad region. In a strategic briefing held in Maiduguri, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar revealed the neutralization of over 1,100 insurgents, the recovery of 638 civilians, and the seizure of a substantial cache of military equipment.

Operation Hadin Kai delivers historic results against jihadist factions

The newly released figures mark a significant shift in the military’s counter-terrorism efforts, which have intensified since April 2025. Speaking at the Joint Task Force headquarters in Maiduguri, the outgoing commander highlighted the coordinated land and air offensives targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, and Lake Chad shores.

High-impact losses for insurgent groups

The military’s operations have dealt a severe blow to jihadist factions, resulting in the elimination of 1,106 fighters. The strategic strikes have dismantled key rebel bastions, disrupting their operations and logistical networks. Additionally, troops confiscated 475 firearms, including assault rifles and heavy weaponry, along with a substantial quantity of ammunition. Military engineering units also neutralized 295 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a persistent threat that has long restricted troop mobility and endangered civilian convoys.

Cutting off the lifelines of insurgents

The offensive extended beyond direct combat engagements. Military intelligence played a pivotal role in dismantling the support structures that fuel insurgent activities. A total of 758 suspected collaborators and logistical operatives were detained. These networks, crucial for supplying food, fuel, and communication equipment to fighters, represent critical links in the movement’s operational capacity.

Surge in surrenders highlights shifting dynamics

Under the sustained military pressure, a growing number of fighters and their families have chosen to lay down their arms. The Hadin Kai operation reported 969 individuals abandoning insurgent activities, including active combatants and their dependents. These individuals are being processed through Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs, providing them with pathways to reintegrate into civilian life.

Rescue of captives brings hope to affected communities

Humanitarian breakthroughs have accompanied the military successes, with 638 civilians rescued from insurgent captivity. Among those freed are women and children abducted during raids on remote villages. These survivors undergo thorough medical and psychological evaluations before being handed over to civil authorities and humanitarian organizations to support their social reintegration.

Path forward: consolidating gains amid persistent threats

While these achievements signal substantial tactical progress, the security landscape in the Lake Chad basin remains precarious. The conflict, which began in 2009 with Boko Haram, has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million people. ISWAP, a splinter group of Boko Haram that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2016, continues to pose significant challenges through ambush tactics and IED attacks.

The leadership transition within Operation Hadin Kai arrives at a pivotal moment. The incoming command must build on these military gains, reinforce security in liberated areas, and create conditions conducive to the safe return of displaced populations. With renewed momentum, the Nigerian military is positioning itself to turn the tide against jihadist insurgency in the region.