Nigerian troops under the Operation Hadin Kai, part of the North East Joint Task Force, have successfully foiled a coordinated terrorist attack on Kukareta community in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing 24 insurgents in a fierce overnight battle.
According to a statement by the Theatre Command spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 23, 2026, and lasted for about three hours—from shortly after midnight to around 3:00 a.m.
Troops reportedly responded swiftly after detecting the assault, launching a coordinated counter-operation that forced the attackers into a disorganised retreat.
During the encounter, security forces recovered a significant cache of weapons, including:
- 18 AK-47 rifles
- 3 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
- 2 PKT anti-aircraft guns
- 3 RPG tubes
- 2 mortar tubes
- 4 hand grenades
- Several magazines and large quantities of ammunition
The military also confirmed that two soldiers were wounded during the operation but have since been stabilised. One armoured tank was damaged after its tyres were blown out in the heat of the clash.
Officials say follow-up operations are still ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and recover additional equipment along withdrawal routes reportedly marked by blood trails.
The successful operation is being described as another major pushback against insurgent activities in Nigeria’s North East region, where security forces continue to battle Boko Haram and ISWAP elements.
