The strategic motivational policies of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have dealt a crushing blow to ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.
In the early hours of May 22, 2026, the Kirawa axis of Borno State became a graveyard for insurgents as alert troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) thwarted a desperate infiltration attempt along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
Military insiders attribute the swiftness and precision of the response to the COAS’s ongoing commitment to personnel welfare, constant encouragement, and a “leads-from-the-front” policy that has revitalized the morale of frontline units.
The Encounter
The terrorists, seeking to exploit the darkness, attempted to breach military positions but were met with a “wall of fire.” Refusing to yield an inch of territory, the motivated troops held their ground, engaging the attackers in a fierce firefight that forced the insurgents to retreat in total disarray toward the Cameroonian border.
A post-encounter assessment confirmed the neutralization of 12 terrorists. Many others fled with life-threatening gunshot wounds, leaving behind a trail of blood.
Superior Firepower
Reflecting the heightened combat readiness of the force, the troops recovered a significant cache of weaponry, including:
* AK-47 Rifles
* Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) systems
* PKT Machine Guns
* Large quantities of ammunition
According to Lieutenant Colonel Uba SANI UBA Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF (North East) Operation HADIN KAI
Air Component platforms and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets provided critical overhead support, ensuring the terrorists had no room to regroup.
Dividends of Leadership
The Military High Command has lauded the troops for their “utmost professionalism,” marking this as the third successful major repulsion of enemy forces within a single week.
“The gallantry witnessed in Kirawa is a direct result of the COAS’s motivational drive,” a senior officer stated. “When soldiers know their leadership is invested in their success and well-being, their output on the battlefield becomes unstoppable.”
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK, reaffirmed the JTF’s commitment to maintaining operational momentum. He noted that exploitation operations are currently underway to track the fleeing remnants of the terror group.
The Joint Task Force has once again reassured the public that the military remains resolute in its mission to rescue the North East from the clutches of terrorism, driven by a leadership that prioritizes the spirit and strength of the Nigerian soldier.
