January 31, 2026 | Borno, Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has delivered a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), eliminating a top commander and preventing several terror and criminal operations across Borno and Adamawa States, the military confirmed on Saturday.
In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Headquarters, Lt Colonel Sani Uba, the army confirmed that intelligence reports verified the death of Julaibib, a key ISWAP commander operating in the Gujba axis of the infamous Timbuktu Triangle. The operation took place near Kimba, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on 30 January 2026.
“The elimination of this terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP fighters in the region into disarray, with several insurgents neutralised during the operation,” the statement said. “This marks a major setback to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the North-East.”
The JTF reported additional successes alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), including:
- Borno State: On 30 January, troops ambushed insurgents between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri, killing three terrorists, recovering two AK-47 rifles, and forcing others to flee with gunshot injuries.
- Gwoza LGA, Borno: On 29 January, an ambush in Tsokorok forced Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to withdraw, killing one insurgent and recovering two motorcycles, with no casualties among troops.
- Adamawa State: Responding to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, on 29 January, JTF foiled an armed robbery targeting a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. Two suspects were apprehended, one injured, and items including laptops, mobile phones, and cutlasses were recovered.
- Hong LGA, Borno: On 28 January, JTF troops and local vigilantes patrolling the Amtasa–Washim axis engaged terrorists with heavy fire, forcing them to retreat, rescuing a kidnapped woman, and recovering one AK-47 rifle, one SMG, and ammunition.
Lt Colonel Uba assured that the general security situation across the North-East remains stable, emphasizing the army’s commitment to protecting lives, dismantling terrorist networks, and collaborating with local communities to restore lasting peace and economic stability.
Operation Hadin Kai continues to target insurgents and criminal elements, sending a clear warning to terror groups that the Nigerian military will not relent in safeguarding citizens and communities.
