Nigerian troops have killed 16 terrorists in an ambush in Gombi and destroyed another insurgent gathering in an air strike, but three soldiers died while repelling attacks on their bases.
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), carried out the operations between September 30 and October 1, 2026, across Sector 4 in Adamawa State. Mohammed Goni, the acting spokesman for the Joint Task Force, gave details in a statement on Thursday.
Goni said the operations included a ground ambush, a precision air strike and defensive counter-operations. According to him, they led to the killing of several terrorists, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the failure of hostile attacks.
Ambush in Boima
Troops carried out a well-coordinated ambush on a terrorist enclave in the Boima area of Gombi Local Government Area. The action killed 16 terrorists.
Troops later searched the site and recovered the following items:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- Two pump-action rifles
- One Dane gun
- Six AK-47 magazines
- A belt of pump-action cartridges
Goni said the recovery weakened the terrorists’ fighting ability and limited their movement in the area.
Air Strike on Insurgent Gathering
The Air Component of OPHK also carried out a precision strike in the early hours of October 1, 2026. At about 4:40 am, a surveillance aircraft spotted about 16 terrorists gathered with 15 motorcycles under a tree canopy in Sector 4.
After identifying the target, the air component struck at 5:30 am and recorded a direct hit. A damage assessment later confirmed that the target was destroyed. A few survivors scattered.
Attacks on Troop Locations
Meanwhile, insurgents launched coordinated attacks on troop locations at 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha. Troops responded with heavy firepower and forced the attackers to abort the mission and withdraw.
However, three soldiers died in the fighting. Goni said the wounded were quickly evacuated and are now in stable condition, receiving treatment. He added that follow-up and mop-up operations are continuing in the area.
Changes in the Command
Goni said the successes came as the Headquarters Theatre Command is being restructured. The aim is to strengthen joint integration, improve operational coordination and involve relevant stakeholders in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
He said the new approach builds on the foundation laid by the previous leadership and is already improving coordination between land and air forces. He added that the command will keep up its aggressive posture, using intelligence, technology and joint capabilities to deny terrorists freedom of movement across the North-East.
As Nigerians marked Independence Day, Goni said the troops remain committed to defending the country’s territorial integrity and creating the conditions for lasting peace and development in the region.
