March 21, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
The Defence Headquarters has announced that troops of Operation Hadin Kai recovered the bodies of 74 suspected terrorists during intensified military operations across the North-East.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, the recoveries followed coordinated offensives carried out between March 13 and March 19.
He revealed that troops also foiled a complex drone-assisted attack, highlighting a worrying shift in tactics by insurgent groups operating in the region.
“A follow-up exploitation operation led to the recovery of 74 corpses and several weapons,” Onoja stated.
Weapons recovered include 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher.
Troops also repelled a major attack in Mallam Fatori, located in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several fighters, including senior commanders.
Additional operations successfully thwarted infiltration attempts in Bama, Gujba, and Kaga, while coordinated air and ground assaults degraded insurgent capabilities in Baga, Damboa, Buratai, and Njimtilo.
Beyond the North-East, the military reported wider nationwide operations:
- In Taraba State, suspected gunrunners were intercepted with ammunition and cash recovered.
- In Plateau and Benue states, kidnapped victims were rescued.
- In the Niger Delta, troops under Operation Delta Safe uncovered illegal oil bunkering sites and seized over 3,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
- In the South-East, operations under Operation Udo Ka neutralised suspects and recovered explosives in Imo State.
The Defence Headquarters emphasized that these operations demonstrate the military’s commitment to eliminating criminal elements and restoring security across Nigeria.
However, security analysts warn that the emergence of drone-assisted attacks signals an evolving threat, suggesting insurgent groups are becoming more sophisticated in their operations.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments in Nigeria’s security landscape.
