Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have uncovered the bodies of five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists alongside an AK-47 rifle during ongoing exploitation operations in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The latest discovery, made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, is believed to have further exposed the extent of casualties suffered by the terrorists following their failed attack on military positions in Kukawa on August 29.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed that the troops recovered the decomposing bodies while conducting clearance and exploitation operations northeast of Kukawa towards the Jemmu–Alagarno axis.
According to him, the terrorists were believed to have been fatally wounded by air strikes conducted by Nigerian Air Force platforms supporting Operation HADIN KAI during the earlier encounter.
Goni said the recovery was a strong indication that the terrorists suffered significant losses as they attempted to withdraw from the area under pressure from ground troops and air support.
He explained that the fleeing terrorists appeared to have abandoned their dead and wounded colleagues in their attempt to escape the advancing military forces.
Further searches of the area yielded an AK-47 rifle and several other items believed to have been abandoned by the terrorists, including a solar panel, camouflage shuttle bag, prayer mat, empty ammunition link and raincoat.
The military said the recovered bodies were subsequently buried in situ, while troops continued to conduct exploitation operations across the area before safely returning to base.
With the latest recovery, the number of additional terrorist bodies discovered during exploitation operations following the failed Kukawa attack has risen to nine.
The development comes as Operation HADIN KAI continues to intensify pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP elements operating in the North-East, with troops seeking to disrupt their movements, deny them freedom of action and prevent them from regrouping.
The military also said other weapons, equipment and personal effects had previously been recovered along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.
The Joint Task Force commended its troops for their resilience and determination, assuring residents of continued military operations aimed at consolidating recent security gains and creating a safer environment for communities and economic activities across the North-East.