Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully disrupted an alleged Boko Haram/ISWAP attempt to extort money from residents in parts of Yobe State, following a fierce gun battle on July 19. The military operation, launched after intelligence reports indicated insurgents were using two Volkswagen Golf cars and motorcycles to collect illegal levies from local communities, resulted in the killing of one terrorist and the recovery of several weapons and supplies. The encounter occurred along the Paya Kafiya axis, where soldiers from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bukarti, backed by the 27 Task Force Brigade, conducted a fighting patrol.
The military confirmed that during the engagement, one of the insurgents’ vehicles was disabled, and its driver was killed. Four other suspected terrorists were wounded and fled into nearby bushes, abandoning the damaged vehicle. The operation was swift and precise, demonstrating the military’s continued vigilance in preventing terrorist activities in the region. Capt. Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, issued a statement from Maiduguri detailing the incident and the subsequent exploitation operations.
Following the gun battle, troops conducted a thorough search along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada route, recovering the abandoned Volkswagen Golf and several items linked to insurgent operations. Among the seized materials were 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, a loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 spent PKT ammunition links, assorted medications, nicotine products, and mechanical tools believed to have been used to support the group’s activities. These items provide critical evidence of the terrorists’ logistical network and their attempts to sustain operations through coercion and illegal taxation.
The military emphasized that this operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle terrorist supply chains and cut off funding sources for Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East. By targeting financial and logistical enablers, Operation Hadin Kai aims to weaken the insurgents’ capacity to carry out attacks and intimidate civilians. The successful interception of the extortion attempt sends a strong message to the terrorist groups that their activities are being monitored and countered with force.
This incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in Yobe State, but also highlights the Nigerian military’s commitment to protecting civilians and restoring security. As the military continues its operations, communities in the region are being urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. The disruption of this extortion attempt marks another step in the fight to reclaim peace and stability in the North-East.
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