Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled a massive insurgent attack in Kukawa, Borno State, neutralising several terrorists including Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council.
The tactical engagement occurred on Saturday, 31 October 2026, when combined ground forces and air assets intercepted and defeated the attacking terrorist elements targeting military positions in Kukawa.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, confirmed in an official statement issued on Sunday, 1 November 2026, that the multi-domain operational response inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgent leadership structure.
Military intelligence confirmed that alongside Abu Hajara, troops neutralised Abul Walid, a prominent ISWAP commander and close associate of overall Wali Ba Shuwa, as well as two high-ranking foreign Arab combatants.
Following the firefight, ground forces recovered scores of arms, ammunition, and tactical communication devices from the battlefield.
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Captain Goni noted that the Kukawa engagement comes barely three days after the Buni Yadi operational encounter, where ongoing assessments confirm 55 terrorists were neutralised, including key commanders Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, and Commander Gogore.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens while sustaining offensive operations to dismantle terrorist enclaves and achieve the destruction of insurgent camps across North East Nigeria.
