Nigerian troops have killed 16 suspected terrorists during an ambush in Adamawa State, while three soldiers died as security forces fought off separate attacks on military positions elsewhere in the state, according to the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai.
The military said the operations were conducted between September 30 and October 1, 2026, across Sector 4 of the Operation Hadin Kai area of responsibility and involved ground troops as well as an aerial strike.
Troops Launch Ambush on Terrorist Enclave in Gombi
The first major engagement took place around the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area, where troops targeted what the military described as a terrorist enclave.
Capt. Mohammed Goni, Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, said troops carried out a coordinated ambush against the fighters.
According to the military’s account, 16 terrorists were killed during the operation.
Goni described the engagement as part of a wider series of operations intended to restrict the movement and operational capabilities of armed groups in the area.
Soldiers Recover Rifles and Ammunition After Battle
Troops subsequently searched the location and recovered a collection of weapons and ammunition allegedly belonging to the fighters.
The recovered weapons included three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles and one Dane gun.
Soldiers also recovered six AK-47 magazines and a belt containing pump-action cartridges.
The military said removing the weapons from the battlefield further weakened the group’s ability to conduct attacks and restricted its freedom of movement within the sector.
Surveillance Aircraft Detects Fighters and Motorcycles
Military operations continued into the early hours of October 1 when an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft detected another suspected gathering of terrorists.
According to Goni, the ISR platform observed approximately 16 fighters gathered beneath tree cover alongside about 15 motorcycles in Sector 4 at approximately 4:40am.
The military said the suspected fighters were identified and their location acquired as a target before an air operation was authorized.
Air Component Launches Precision Strike
About 50 minutes after the group was detected, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out what the military described as a precision interdiction strike.
The attack was conducted at approximately 5:30am.
Goni said the strike hit its intended target, with a subsequent Battle Damage Assessment indicating that the location had been successfully destroyed.
The military said some individuals who survived the strike fled the area.
Insurgents Attack Two Military Positions
While troops were conducting offensive operations, other soldiers came under attack at two military positions in Adamawa State.
The military said insurgents launched coordinated assaults against troops of the 226 Battalion at Garkida and the 232 Battalion at Garaha.
Nigerian forces responded with heavy firepower, according to Operation Hadin Kai, eventually forcing the attackers to abandon their offensive and withdraw.
The statement did not provide casualty figures for the insurgents involved in the attacks on the two military positions.
Three Nigerian Soldiers Killed During Fighting
Despite repelling the attacks, the Nigerian Army suffered casualties during the confrontations.
Goni confirmed that three soldiers were killed during the fighting.
Other military personnel sustained injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment. The military said the wounded soldiers were in stable condition.
The identities of the three soldiers who died were not disclosed in the statement.
Mop-Up Operations Continue Across Adamawa
Following the engagements, Nigerian troops launched further exploitation and mop-up operations across the affected areas.
The continuing operations are intended to locate fighters who escaped the confrontations, secure surrounding communities and prevent armed groups from regrouping.
The military did not disclose whether additional arrests, weapons recoveries or casualties had been recorded during those follow-up operations.
Operation Hadin Kai Undergoing Command Restructuring
The latest military operations come as the headquarters of Theatre Command undergoes what authorities described as a restructuring aimed at improving the counter-terrorism campaign.
According to Goni, the changes are intended to strengthen cooperation among different elements of the military, improve operational coordination and bring relevant stakeholders more closely into counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
The military said the new approach builds on the work of the previous leadership while increasing coordination between ground forces, aviation assets and supporting units.
Military Credits Joint Land and Air Operations for Gains
Operation Hadin Kai said the Adamawa engagements demonstrated the benefits of combining intelligence gathering, ground operations and air power.
The military maintained that stronger coordination between its land and air components was already producing operational results.
The combination was demonstrated during the latest operations, with ground troops carrying out the Boima ambush before aerial surveillance detected another suspected gathering of fighters and directed an air strike against the location.
Troops Vow to Maintain Pressure Across North-East
The Theatre Command said it would continue using intelligence, technology and joint military capabilities to restrict the activities of terrorist and insurgent groups operating across northeastern Nigeria.
Goni said troops remained committed to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and creating conditions that would support lasting peace and economic development.
The military linked that commitment to Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, saying troops would maintain an aggressive operational posture against armed groups despite the deaths of three soldiers during the latest fighting.
The casualty figures and battlefield assessments were provided by Operation Hadin Kai and were not independently verified in the military statement.
