Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a coordinated terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe state, killing at least 24 insurgents and recovering a large cache of weapons.
In a statement issued by Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 23, 2026, saw heavily armed terrorists launch an assault shortly after midnight.
According to military sources, the attack lasted for approximately three hours, ending around 3:00 a.m. after troops mounted a strong resistance.
Military authorities confirmed that personnel under Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force responded swiftly with a well-coordinated offensive-defensive strategy, effectively containing the attack and forcing the assailants into a chaotic retreat.
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During the engagement, troops inflicted what officials described as “heavy casualties” on the attackers, with 24 terrorists confirmed neutralised as of the latest update. Follow-up exploitation operations across the battlefield have also led to the recovery of a significant stockpile of arms and ammunition.
Items recovered include 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launch tubes, two mortar tubes, and four hand grenades. Additionally, troops seized 18 AK-47 magazines and large quantities of 7.62mm belted ammunition used for PKT systems.
Despite the intensity of the clash, the military reported minimal casualties on its side. Two personnel were wounded in action and have since been stabilised, while one armoured tank sustained damage after all its tyres were blown out during the firefight.
Security forces are continuing clearance and exploitation operations along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes. Officials disclosed that the fleeing insurgents left behind blood trails and medical supplies, indicating further casualties beyond those already confirmed.
The military emphasized that the successful defence of Kukareta underscores the operational strength, resilience, and firepower of troops engaged in counterterrorism efforts across the North East.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eliminating terrorist elements and restoring lasting security within the Joint Operations Area.
