The Joint Military Task Force operating in Nigeria’s North‑East has reported that, over the past three months, its operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 terrorists, including 57 senior commanders and leaders. Maj‑Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the theatre commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) North‑East’s Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
According to the commander, the sustained military effort has contributed to a modest decline in insurgent activity across the region. He highlighted that the number of insurgents who surrendered this year is markedly lower than the 16,000 who laid down arms in 2023, underscoring the need for continued community engagement and intelligence‑driven operations to disrupt terrorist networks.
Maj‑Gen. Abdulsalam called for greater unity and patriotism across all sectors, particularly the media, to combat misinformation and fake news surrounding the military’s activities. He emphasized that accurate reporting is essential for maintaining public support and ensuring the credibility of counter‑terrorism initiatives.
In addition to kinetic actions, the JTF is expanding non‑kinetic strategies aimed at preventing the infiltration of terrorist elements into civilian populations. The command plans to increase support for local communities through initiatives in education, infrastructure development, and community outreach, with the goal of fostering sustainable peace.
The theatre commander reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stating that the armed forces will maintain pressure on extremist groups while working closely with civil society and government agencies to address the root causes of instability.
The latest figures reflect a continued focus on dismantling the leadership structure of Boko Haram and its affiliates, which have plagued the North‑East for more than a decade. As the operation progresses, the JTF will monitor the impact of both combat and development‑focused measures, aiming to consolidate gains and reduce the insurgents’ capacity to regroup.
