Troops kill over 200 terrorists in fresh North-East offensive as CDS, COAS visit frontline

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised over 200 terrorists in renewed offensive operations across Nigeria’s North-East, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has disclosed.

Abubakar made the revelation in Maiduguri while presenting an operational briefing during the assessment visit of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The visit followed recent suicide bomb incidents within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, prompting renewed military efforts to tighten security and sustain pressure on insurgents.

According to the Theatre Commander, several other terrorists sustained severe injuries during the operations, significantly degrading their fighting capacity and limiting their ability to return to the battlefield.

He noted that despite occasional setbacks, troops have maintained dominance in the theatre through sustained offensives executed with commitment and professionalism.

“Troops remain resolute, undeterred, and fully committed to intensifying operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and economic stability in the North-East,” Abubakar said.

Addressing officers and soldiers at the Maimalari Cantonment, the CDS, General Oluyede, commended the troops for their resilience and sacrifices, urging them to sustain the operational momentum.

He directed commanders to intensify offensives, strengthen intelligence gathering, and adopt proactive strategies to prevent further attacks.

The CDS also assured personnel of continued strategic support from Defence Headquarters to achieve the decisive defeat of terrorism.

Similarly, the COAS, Lieutenant General Shaibu, praised the troops’ dedication and urged field commanders to sustain pressure on insurgents while adopting a firm “never again” posture to deny terrorists any operational space, especially during sensitive periods such as Ramadan.

He further assured the Theatre Command of additional support and critical resources to enhance operational effectiveness and reinforce ongoing offensives.

The military high command reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and security across the North-East region.

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