Army Records Gains in North-East as Reactions Trail Operations, Survivor Shares Kidnap Ordeal

Between March 28 and 30, 2026, forces under Operation Hadin Kai prevented attacks, intercepted logistics supplies, and detained suspected collaborators, according to the Nigerian Army, which has declared a number of operational successes against militants in the Northeast.

The bulletin, which described operations conducted throughout Borno State, including Damboa, Gwoza, Askira Uba, and Maiduguri, was posted on the Nigerian Army’s official website.

The Army claims that after discovering the movement of suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists through surveillance, forces effectively thwarted their planned strikes and forced them to flee.

It further stated that an improvised explosive device positioned along the Goniri Ngamdu road was found and successfully exploded, and attempts to assault farmers and villages were also halted.

The Army claimed to have made a significant breakthrough by intercepting vehicles carrying substantial amounts of suspected terrorist supplies.

According to the statement, “the consignments, equivalent to two truckloads, included medical drugs, motorcycle parts, mosquito nets and other materials believed to be heading towards terrorist enclaves.”

Along with others in different operations, troops also detained a number of suspects connected to logistics supply, including a 26-year-old named Mohammed Adamu.

Another suspect, Abubakar Ali, also known as Saina, was detained while purportedly on a reconnaissance operation, the Army revealed in a follow-up statement.

The statement claims that during search efforts, drugs were found and a suspected kidnapper was also captured.

Although the Army emphasized these successes, Nigerians’ reactions to the news have been divided; some have questioned the overall impact of such operations given the ongoing instability in various areas of the country.

In response, a user named King Olex stated, “You people are failures in this country, we don’t have soldiers anymore remember you have families in those communities.”

Paul Yakubu, another commenter, suggested an alternative strategy, stating: “Go after the sponsors and financial backers.” They possess the knowledge that ties everything together.

“The Joint Task Force failed to stop the massacre in Jos… there’s still no clear update on what really happened,” Sir Grey said in his presentation, raising doubts about the efficacy of security measures.

A different narrative by a kidnap survivor has raised awareness of the human cost of instability, particularly outside of the Northeast, while discussions continue.

The victim described how he was kidnapped by armed men while working on a farm and detained for 42 days in an internet post published by a farm manager in Ekiti.

They had AK-47 rifles and were seven in number. He described how they led him across the forest while tying my hands.

He claims that even after negotiating a lower ransom demand of N100 million, the kidnappers continued to abuse their victims.

He disclosed that after his company failed to pay the ransom demands, one of the victims—a tractor operator—was shot and subsequently passed away.

When the money didn’t arrive, they shot him once more. We were instructed to bring his body into the forest, and I was trembling and immobile,” he remarked.

The witness described how victims were transported between camps and fed poorly, adding that he was not immediately released even after his family raised money several times.

At one point, I was the last one remaining. After paying between N1 million and N20 million, others were freed, he added.

Concerns about the extent of insecurity around the nation have grown as a result of the account, with many Nigerians pointing out a discrepancy between official accounts of military victories and the realities that residents confront.

The proliferation of violent crimes and kidnappings in other areas, according to observers, underscores the necessity for a more comprehensive and well-coordinated security response, even as operations in the Northeast continue.

As of the time this story was filed, authorities had not yet addressed the rising concerns expressed by citizens or the reactions that followed the Army’s post.