Nigerian Army neutralises 15 terrorists in Borno air strike

Nigerian military forces have reported the neutralisation of 15 terrorists in a precision air strike conducted in Borno State. The operation took place in the Gwoza Local Government Area, specifically in the area north-west of Pulka. According to official military disclosures, the airstrike was executed at approximately 11:50 pm on 23 October 2026. The action was carried out by troops participating in Operation Hadin Kai, the joint task force responsible for security in the North East region of Nigeria.

Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer for the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the details of the engagement in a statement released on Saturday, 24 October 2026. Goni stated that the decision to launch the strike was based on credible intelligence reports and confirmed visual sightings of terrorist movements in the Pulka area. Following the aerial bombardment, ground troops moved into the zone to exploit the tactical situation and consolidate the operational gains achieved by the initial strike.

Background

Operation Hadin Kai is the designated military operation tasked with combating terrorism and insurgency in the North East theatre of operations, with its headquarters located in Maiduguri. The military has described the recent engagement as part of a sustained offensive strategy aimed at maintaining pressure on insurgent elements. This approach relies on effective intelligence gathering and the coordinated deployment of available military capabilities to disrupt terrorist activities.

The Joint Task Force emphasised that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven targeting. By combining precise air power with subsequent ground operations, the military aims to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups. The statement highlighted that such coordinated actions are essential for denying insurgent groups freedom of action and preventing them from threatening civilian communities within the region.

Why it matters

The security situation in Borno State and the wider North East region remains a critical concern for both the Nigerian government and local populations. The military stated that the objective of these operations is to protect law-abiding citizens and create conditions necessary for the restoration of normalcy and socio-economic activities in affected areas. The neutralisation of 15 terrorists is presented as a significant step in strengthening the security environment across the theatre.

The military also stressed the importance of public cooperation in these efforts. The statement called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information regarding suspicious movements and activities. The Joint Task Force noted that the partnership between the military and the civilian population is essential for consolidating operational gains and achieving lasting peace and security. The military assured the public that it remains committed to defeating terrorism and insurgency with vigilance and professionalism.

What happens next

The sources indicate that the military intends to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations. The Theatre Command stated that it will continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements to disrupt their activities further. While no specific future dates or pending decisions were detailed in the provided materials, the military reaffirmed its resolve to continue offensive operations to secure the region.