Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on Kukareta community in Borno State, neutralizing a top commander and several fighters in the process. The insurgents reportedly launched the assault shortly after midnight, attempting to overrun the community, but were met with a swift and sustained counter-offensive by troops of Sector 2 that lasted until about 3:00 a.m.
Top ISWAP Commander Among Those Killed
Theatre Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Major-General Abdulsalam Abubakar, confirmed that the operation led to the death of ISWAP commander Abu Umar Bundi Munzir alongside other fighters. He disclosed that a total of 25 insurgents were neutralized during the encounter, according to Daily Trust. Abubakar said: "The troops successfully repelled the attack, and in the process, the ISWAP commander Abu Umar Bundi Munzir was among those neutralized." He added that one insurgent was captured alive during the operation.
Weapons Recovered in Follow-Up Operations
Following the successful defense, troops carried out a clearance and exploitation operation across the battlefield, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Recovered items included assault rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons, grenade launchers, mortar tubes, grenades, magazines, and large quantities of ammunition. According to the theatre commander, traces of blood and abandoned equipment along escape routes suggested that fleeing fighters may have suffered additional casualties.
Soldiers Injured, Further Operations Ongoing
The military confirmed that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire but have since been stabilized and are receiving medical care. An armored reinforcement vehicle was also damaged during the operation. Major-General Abubakar described the operation as a significant success in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, adding that troops would maintain pressure to deny terrorist groups freedom of action in the region.
Troops Foil Attacks in Borno
Earlier reports indicated that troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Operation Hadin Kai, successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks across three locations in Borno State. The attacks, which took place on 22 April 2026 in Kanama, Ngoshe, and Banki, were thwarted through what military authorities described as a swift and coordinated response by ground forces.
