In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the JTF Headquarters, Lt Colonel Sani Uba, the military revealed that intelligence confirmed the elimination of Julaibib, a key ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have dealt a blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), killing a top commander and foiling multiple terror and criminal operations in Borno and Adamawa States, the military confirmed on Saturday.
In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the JTF Headquarters, Lt Colonel Sani Uba, the military revealed that intelligence confirmed the elimination of Julaibib, a key ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
The encounter occurred around Kimba, Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State on 30 January 2026.
The statement read, “The elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation. This impressive development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region.
In addition to this operation, the JTF said troops, working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), successfully neutralised three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno.
The ambush, executed along an identified route, involved the use of tactical firepower, resulting in the deaths of three insurgents while others fled with gunshot injuries. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the scene.
The statement also reported a successful engagement on 29 January in Tsokorok, Gwoza LGA, where troops deployed in an ambush forced Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to withdraw.
Meanwhile, one terrorist was neutralised in the clash, with no casualties among the troops. Two motorcycles were recovered from the scene.
The JTF further highlighted its operational success in Adamawa State. Responding to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, on 29 January, troops foiled an armed robbery targeting a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.
However, two suspects were arrested; one sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi for treatment.
Items recovered included three cutlasses, two laptops, four mobile phones, and one power bank, with the suspects subsequently handed over to the Nigerian police for further investigation.
Earlier, on 28 January, JTF troops and local vigilantes conducted a patrol along the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong LGA, where they engaged terrorists with heavy fire, forcing them to retreat.
The patrol also rescued a woman abducted by the insurgents and recovered one AK-47 rifle (Reg. No. 2056792) with 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one SMG rifle, and 42 rounds of assorted ammunition.
The statement added that the general security situation across the theatre remains stable. Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to protecting lives and property, dismantling terrorist networks, and collaborating with local communities and security stakeholders to restore lasting peace and economic stability across Nigeria’s North-East region.