The number of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed during a recent military operation in Damboa has increased from 16 to 19.

Battle damage assessment indicated that additional bodies were discovered scattered in nearby bushes following a combing operation by troops of Operation HADIN KAI.

The terrorists met their waterloo as they attempted to infiltrate the 25 Taskforce Brigade headquarters in Damboa near Sambisa Forest.

The troops of the Taskforce Brigade, along with members of the civilian joint task force also recovered weapons and IED making materials in the operations.

The attack happened at about 1am today, Friday, 23 May 2025 when troops sighted a group of terrorists and immediately engaged them with sustained indirect fire. After approximately two hours of intense engagement, the terrorists were forced to retreat.

Several of the terrorists escaped with varying degrees of injuries while 16 of them were successfully neutralised.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Northeast Joint Taskforce Operations Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, said the success was aided by the timely intervention of the air component of the Joint Taskforce.

Captain Reuben Kovangiya also stated that troops have intensified offensive on the terrorists into the forest with the hope of neutralising more terrorists.

A statement issued by the Nigerian Army said troops responded to another intelligence report about insurgents? attempt to loot food supplies from a civilian vehicle near Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.

During the said encounter, 6 terrorists were neutralised, one AK-47 rifle and ammunition were seized.

In another operation, troops from the Forward Operation Base Molai, with the CJTF, conducted an ambush on terrorists crossing point near Komala along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road.

The strike neutralised an unconfirmed number of the insurgents and led to the recovery of motorcycles, IED components, and materials on Thursday. (Pieced together from reports by Zagazalo Makama and Channels Television)

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