1,000 Terrorists Neutralized in Three Months as Operation Hadin Kai Intensifies Pressure on Insurgents
The Nigerian military’s counterterrorism campaign in the Northeast has recorded a significant escalation, with troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralizing approximately 1,000 terrorists within the first quarter of 2026.
This was revealed by the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar while speaking with the media on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Among those eliminated, according to him, are 57 high-value targets including top commanders and key operational leaders whose removal is expected to disrupt command structures and degrade the fighting capacity of terror networks operating in the region.
He said the achievement is far more than a numerical milestone as it represents a sustained and coordinated offensive that is steadily constricting the operational space of insurgent groups, dismantling their leadership hierarchy, and weakening their ability to launch attacks against civilian populations and security forces. Each successful engagement underscores the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the resilience of troops deployed in some of the most challenging theatres of conflict.
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However, even as the military records these gains, there remains a parallel battle in the information space, one that is just as critical to national security, he lamented. The spread of fake news, misinformation, and unverified reports, particularly on social and digital platforms, continues to undermine operational successes. Such narratives not only erode public confidence but also inadvertently serve as propaganda tools for terrorist groups, amplifying their psychological impact and providing them with undue visibility.
For a nation confronting asymmetric warfare, information discipline is not optional—it is essential. He appealed to media practitioners, commentators, and the general public to recognize that careless reporting or the circulation of sensational, unverified claims can embolden adversaries and jeopardize ongoing operations.
“Terrorist groups thrive on attention, distortion, and fear; misinformation hands them exactly that.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for responsible journalism and patriotic communication. The media, as a critical stakeholder in national security, must prioritize accuracy, context, and verification over speed and sensationalism. Constructive scrutiny is necessary in a democracy, but it must not come at the expense of truth or national interest”.
He maintained that Nigerians must continue to support the troops, not just in words, but through actions that reinforce their efforts. This includes resisting the temptation to share unverified content, amplifying credible information, and fostering a national narrative that reflects unity, resilience, and trust in the country’s security institutions.
“The sacrifices being made on the frontlines are immense. Soldiers are confronting danger daily so that millions can live without fear. The least that can be done on the home front is to ensure that their efforts are not undermined by the reckless spread of falsehoods”.
“The fight against terrorism is not confined to the battlefield; it is also fought in the minds of the people. And in that fight, truth remains one of the most potent weapons”, he concluded.