GOMBI, Nigeria — Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 16 terrorists and lost three soldiers during a series of military engagements in Adamawa State between September 30 and October 1, 2026.
Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Mohammed Goni, announced the figures in an official statement released on October 1, 2026. Golden Info reports that Capt Mohammed Goni stated the operation comprised a ground ambush, a precision air strike, and defensive counter-operations across the Sector 4 area of operations.
The operational encounters began in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area, where ground forces executed an ambush on a terrorist enclave. Ground troops killed 16 terrorists and subsequently recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines, and one belt of pump-action cartridges from the site.
The ground operation was reinforced by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai following target detection by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform. The platform identified a concentration of approximately 16 terrorists and 15 motorcycles beneath a tree canopy at approximately 4:40 am WAT on October 1, 2026. A precision air interdiction was executed at 5:30 am WAT, destroying the target location.
Insurgents launched concurrent attacks on troop positions at the 226 Battalion in Garkida and the 232 Battalion in Garaha. Nigeria’s Military repelled the assailants through counter-fire, forcing their withdrawal. Three soldiers were killed during the defensive engagement, while injured military personnel were evacuated for medical treatment and remain in stable condition.
Follow-up exploitation and mop-up operations remain ongoing across the general area under the Headquarters Theatre Command.