In a series of meticulously coordinated strikes across Nigeria’s embattled northeast, a coalition of army troops, air power, and local vigilantes has delivered a devastating blow to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Over six days of relentless operations, at least 24 terrorists were killed, arms caches seized, and insurgent supply lines shattered—marking one of the most aggressive military campaigns in recent months.
The operations, conducted between July 4 and July 9, 2025, reveal a shift in strategy: instead of waiting for attacks, Nigerian forces are now hunting terrorists in their hideouts, ambushing supply routes, and dismantling their logistical networks.
A detailed account provided by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), exposes the precision and brutality of the recent offensives:
1. The Sambisa Ambush (July 4, Platari)
Terrorists on bicycles were spotted moving from Sambisa Forest toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent hotspot.
Troops lay in wait, opening fire as the group passed. Three terrorists were instantly killed. No Nigerian casualties reported.
2. The Komala Trap (July 4, Borno State)
Surveillance detected insurgents transporting supplies near Komala.
An ambush left one fighter dead, while troops recovered motorcycles, pesticides, and food supplies—evidence of the group’s attempts to sustain operations.
3. The Night Raid on Kawuri (July 4, Konduga LGA)
Two terrorists ferrying salt, seasoning, and detergents (critical for survival in hideouts) were gunned down in a midnight ambush. Others fled wounded.
4. Foiled IDP Camp Infiltration (July 5, Madarari)
Insurgents attempted to blend into an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, likely to recruit or gather intel.
Troops intercepted and killed one attacker, forcing the rest to retreat with gunshot wounds.
5. The Leno Kura Firefight (July 6)
Soldiers stormed a terrorist enclave, engaging in a fierce gun battle. Three insurgents were neutralized.
6. The Ngoshe-Gava Ambush (July 6)
Troops set up night ambushes along Ngoshe-Ashigashiya and Amuda-Gava roads, killing one terrorist attempting to flee.
7. Civilian JTF’s Deadly Blow (July 9, Tangalanga & Bula Marwa)
Local hunters and CJTF fighters raided an ISWAP camp, killing three militants and destroying their base.
Recovered six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of ammunition—a significant dent in the group’s firepower.
While the military celebrates these victories, analysts warn against premature declarations of success. Boko Haram has survived 15 years of offensives by melting into communities or retreating to remote enclaves.
Civilians remain caught in the crossfire, with IDP camps still vulnerable to infiltration. Close air support was critical, but without sustained ground operations, gains could be temporary.
Captain Kovangiya emphasized that these operations are part of a broader strategy to cripple insurgent logistics and morale.
“We are not just reacting—we are taking the fight to them,” he said. “Every supply line cut, every hideout destroyed, weakens their ability to strike.”
Yet, the real test will be holding reclaimed territories and ensuring terrorists don’t regroup. For now, the message is clear: The Nigerian military is on the offensive—and it’s not slowing down.
