Air Delivered event in Nigeria on Fri 28th August 2026

Troops repel terrorist attack in Kukawa, neutralise 26, destroy 10 motorcycles

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI in Kukawa, in collaboration with other components of Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled a terrorist attack around Kadiya village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, neutralising 26 terrorists and destroying 10 motorcycles during the engagement.

The operation, which took place late on Friday, August 28, followed credible human intelligence on the movement of terrorists around Kadiya village, in the Kukawa axis. According to military sources the terrorists attacked troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion at about 10:45 p.m.

The attack was successfully repelled by the troops, supported by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai. Military sources said the terrorists were forced to withdraw in confusion following the coordinated ground and air response. As the terrorists attempted to escape from the area, the Nigerian Air Force conducted two precision air strikes against the fleeing fighters. The first strike targeted about 10 terrorists who had taken cover beneath trees following the initial engagement.

The strike was reported to have neutralised all 10 terrorists in the targeted position. A second air strike was subsequently conducted against terrorists fleeing towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis, with the operation coordinated with the Multinational Joint Task Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. The second strike neutralised an additional 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles used by the fleeing fighters.

The troops later conducted an exploitation operation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29. During the exploitation, the troops discovered the corpse of an additional terrorist, bringing the total number of terrorists neutralised in the operation to 26. The military also recovered two motorcycles abandoned by the terrorists. Other recovered items included 253 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm PKT ammunition, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two anti-aircraft rounds. The troops also recovered a shuttle bag, an eye protector, a pair of spectacles and two wristwatches. The engagement, however, came with a casualty on the side of the troops, with four soldiers sustaining injuries.

One Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle was also damaged during the encounter. The injured soldiers were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are said to be in stable condition.