Nigerian troops have dismantled a Boko Haram/ISWAP camp in the Kopre Mountain area of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, with the military saying more than 21 terrorists were killed during the operation.
The operation was carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in collaboration with the Tactical Team of the Office of the National Security Adviser and newly inducted personnel of 226 Battalion deployed to Sector 4 in Adamawa. The military said the assault followed credible intelligence about the presence and activities of terrorist fighters in the mountainous area.
According to the military, the joint force carried out a stealth operation through the difficult terrain before launching an assault on the camp in the early hours of August 27.
Troops reportedly engaged the fighters in two separate encounters. The military said more than 21 terrorists were neutralised during the clashes, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Following the operation, the troops took control of the area and dismantled the terrorist camp and associated logistics infrastructure. The military said the action was intended to weaken the group's ability to operate and maintain a presence in the area.
Several weapons and ammunition were also recovered. The military listed AK-47 rifles, magazines and a substantial quantity of 7.62mm ammunition among the items found during the exploitation of the camp.
Troops also destroyed motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit, which the military said were believed to have supported the terrorists' movement and logistics.
The operation is particularly significant because the military said it forms part of continuing efforts to locate and rescue people believed to be held by terrorist groups in the area.
Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of Joint Task Force North-East, said the operation was linked to efforts to locate victims abducted from Mussa community in May and schoolchildren taken from the Lassa area in June.
The development comes against the backdrop of renewed security concerns in parts of Adamawa, where communities around rural and mountainous areas have continued to face threats from armed groups.
Hong Local Government Area has experienced attacks and displacement linked to the wider insurgency in the North-East. Recent violence in parts of the area has also affected farming communities, increasing pressure on security agencies to protect residents and restore access to affected areas.
The military's latest operation therefore has implications beyond the destruction of one camp. Disrupting established camps can make it more difficult for armed groups to organise attacks, store supplies and move personnel and equipment through affected communities.
At the same time, the military's reported casualty figures are based on its own assessment of the operation. The claim that more than 21 fighters were killed has not been independently verified, and the identities of those reportedly killed have not been publicly released.
The military also said several terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, meaning security forces could face further encounters as they attempt to track those who fled the area.
The operation illustrates the importance of intelligence gathering in counter-insurgency efforts. Rather than relying solely on conventional patrols, security forces used intelligence about the location of the camp to plan an operation in difficult terrain.
The collaboration between Operation Hadin Kai and the ONSA Tactical Team also reflects the growing emphasis on coordination among security agencies in tackling terrorism in the North-East.
The military high command commended the participating personnel for what it described as their professionalism, resilience and coordination during the operation.
However, the larger security challenge remains. Destroying a terrorist camp can disrupt an armed group's activities, but sustained operations are required to prevent fighters from regrouping or establishing new bases elsewhere.
The military said search-and-rescue operations would continue until abducted persons linked to the affected terrorist network are located and brought to safety.
For residents of affected communities, the ultimate measure of the operation will therefore extend beyond the number of fighters killed or weapons recovered. Improved security, safe access to farms and roads, and the successful recovery of abducted residents will remain key concerns.
The latest raid represents another military effort to reduce the operational space available to Boko Haram and ISWAP elements in Adamawa, while authorities continue broader counter-insurgency operations across the North-East.
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