Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have eliminated 13 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in Kareto, Borno State, after foiling a failed ambush and improvised explosive device (IED) attack against a military convoy escorting humanitarian supplies.
Zig Diaries |
Defence
Date: Thursday, 04 September 2025
Time: 16:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Maiduguri, Nigeria
The clash occurred on Wednesday, 03 September, as troops provided security for relief trucks moving along the Gubio–Damasak road, underscoring the Armed Forces’ dual role of fighting insurgents and safeguarding humanitarian operations.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the terrorists detonated two command IEDs before opening heavy fire on the convoy. The soldiers swiftly reorganised and responded with superior firepower, killing 13 insurgents on the spot while others fled in disarray.
The troops pursued the retreating
fighters and recovered significant arms, including eight AK-47 rifles, ten
rifle magazines, and a large cache of 7.62mm ammunition. Other items seized
were camel bags, several rolls of detonating cord, and primed IEDs ready for
deployment.
In the encounter, one soldier sustained minor injuries and was reported stable, while four MRAP tyres were damaged and two escort trucks caught fire. Despite the disruption, the humanitarian convoy and relief materials were secured and successfully delivered to Damasak.
Fact-Check
and Background Context
Kareto, located in northern Borno, has long been a flashpoint for Boko Haram
and ISWAP attacks due to its proximity to Lake Chad and the Niger border.
OPHK, launched in 2021, is the Nigerian military’s flagship counterinsurgency operation, coordinating land and air forces against jihadist strongholds in the North East.
Military records show that between July and August 2025, OPHK operations resulted in over 120 insurgents killed, dozens of collaborators arrested, and multiple arms caches recovered.
Humanitarian escorts remain one of the riskiest missions for troops, as insurgents frequently target aid convoys to disrupt relief delivery and project power over local populations.
Wednesday’s failed ambush highlights the army’s sustained pressure on extremist groups and its effort to ensure aid reaches conflict-affected communities across the region.
🏷 Tags: Nigeria, Borno, Kareto, Boko Haram, ISWAP, OPHK, Military, Terrorism, Counterterrorism, Humanitarian Aid, Defence
#ZigDiariesDefence #OPHK #BokoHaram #ISWAP #Nigeria #Borno #SahelSecurity
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