Troops of the 68 Battalion, operating under Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI, have destroyed a Boko Haram/ISWAP enclave and recovered three AK-47 rifles during a clearance operation in the Mallam Fatori axis of Abadam Local Government Area, Borno State.
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday.
According to Makama, the operation was carried out around 5:00 a.m. on August 7, 2026, as a follow-up to a failed terrorist attack on the battalion’s defensive position on July 29.
He said troops traced the route used by the insurgents to withdraw after the earlier attack, eventually locating a concealed hideout at Kaniram East.
On reaching the location, the troops reportedly approached the camp quietly before launching a coordinated assault.
Makama said one terrorist was neutralised during the operation, while two others escaped into the surrounding bush with gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the camp led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, three magazines and 39 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone, a Nigerien SIM card, an MP3 player and a 100 CFA recharge card.
After the operation, the troops reportedly destroyed and set the insurgents’ camp ablaze to prevent it from being used again.
Makama said the troops subsequently returned safely to their base.
He added that the recovered communication devices and other materials could provide useful intelligence for ongoing operations targeting terrorist networks operating around the Lake Chad region.
The operation forms part of the sustained offensive efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to track fleeing insurgents, destroy their hideouts and prevent them from regrouping following increased military pressure across the North-East.
