Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe State, killing no fewer than 24 insurgents and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East). He said the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 23, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists launched an assault shortly after midnight.
According to the statement, the attack lasted for about three hours, with troops engaging the insurgents in a fierce gun battle until approximately 3:00 a.m. Military sources noted that personnel under Sector 2 responded promptly, deploying a coordinated offensive-defensive strategy that successfully contained the assault and forced the attackers into a disorganised retreat.
During the encounter, troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, with 24 confirmed neutralised so far. Ongoing exploitation operations have also led to the recovery of a significant stockpile of weapons and ammunition from the scene.
Recovered items include 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, two mortar tubes, and four hand grenades. Troops also seized 18 AK-47 magazines and large quantities of 7.62mm belted ammunition.
Despite the intensity of the confrontation, the military recorded minimal losses. Two personnel were wounded in action and have since been stabilised, while one armoured vehicle sustained damage after its tyres were blown out during the exchange of fire.
Security forces have since intensified clearance operations along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes. Officials revealed that blood trails and abandoned medical supplies suggest additional casualties among the fleeing insurgents.
The military said the successful defence of Kukareta highlights the resilience, combat readiness, and firepower of troops operating in the North East. It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eliminating terrorist elements and restoring lasting peace across the region.