Nigerian troops operating under Joint Task Force North East’s Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have destroyed three major detention facilities used by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) within the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious forested enclave spanning Borno and Yobe states. The operation, conducted between January 21 and early February 2026, marks a significant penetration into a long-standing terrorist stronghold.
The facilities, concealed deep in the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, were uncovered during a coordinated two-week offensive. Military reports indicate the camps had the capacity to detain up to 300 individuals, highlighting their role in ISWAP’s system of coercion, ransom collection, and internal enforcement. Following clearance, all three structures were deliberately demolished to prevent reuse.
The offensive directly resulted in the escape of over 70 captives. Several former detainees have since surfaced in nearby communities, including Goniri, Buratai, and Mandaragirau. One escapee, Jidda Ba Jidda from Borno State, reported fleeing during a firefight between advancing troops and his captors after being abducted in December 2025.
During the encounters, ISWAP suffered significant casualties, with 32 fighters neutralised, including two identified commanders (Qaids) and three sub-commanders (Munzirs). Several others were injured. The military reported no casualties among its own forces during the operation.
This success is attributed to sustained intelligence-driven manoeuvres under Operation DESERT SANITY V, which pressured ISWAP to abandon key positions. Military authorities state the destruction of the camps demonstrates OPHK’s expanded operational reach into terrorist inner sanctuaries, denying the group both physical space and psychological control.
Analysts note that dismantling such detention infrastructure critically undermines ISWAP’s ability to fund operations through ransom and disrupts its governance-like control over civilians. The liberation of numerous detainees also potentially deprives the group of a revenue stream and may yield actionable intelligence.
While describing the overall security situation in the North East as calm but unpredictable, the military affirmed that troop morale remains high. It reiterated commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist elements, denying them safe havens, and working toward lasting stability in the region. The operation underscores a broader trend of incremental but tangible gains in the multi-year counter-insurgency campaign.
