In a decisive blow to insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized scores of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists in a successful offensive carried out on May 11, 2025, within the notorious Sambisa Forest.
According to a statement released by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Theatre Command, on Monday, the operation specifically targeted Ladin Buttu—a known terrorist stronghold and logistical hub for the insurgents.
The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, leveraging superior firepower and tactical skill to subdue the criminals.
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Several insurgents were killed during the encounter, while a cache of weapons and military ordnance was recovered from the battlefield.
The Nigerian Army noted that additional evidence at the scene, including heavy blood trails along the insurgents’ withdrawal routes, suggests that several of those who fled sustained serious gunshot wounds.
The statement noted, “This indicates a significant blow to the operational capacity of the terrorists hiding in the forest.
“Ladin Buttu is known as a strategic corridor used by terrorists to coordinate attacks and maneuver within the expansive Sambisa terrain, which has long served as a hideout for the Boko Haram and ISWAP factions.”
The leadership of Operation HADIN KAI commended the gallantry and tactical efficiency of the troops, stressing that the success of the Ladin Buttu assault is in line with recent directives from the Chief of Army Staff, aimed at ramping up aggressive and coordinated offensive operations against all terrorist elements across the theatre of operations.
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The military reaffirmed its commitment to restore peace in the North-East and ensuring that terrorists have no safe haven in Nigerian territory.
The public was also urged to continue the support for the military with timely intelligence and cooperation in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.