In a significant boost to the fight against terrorism in the North-East, Nigerian troops have successfully destroyed three terrorist camps and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition in the dense Sambisa Forest, Borno State, one of the main strongholds of Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The operation, conducted under the banner of Operation Hadin Kai, involved coordinated efforts by units from the 21 Special Armoured Brigade and the 26 Task Force Brigade, working closely with Civilian Joint Task Force volunteers. Military sources confirmed that the offensive took place over several days and targeted key insurgent hideouts that had long served as planning and logistical bases for terrorist activities in the region. During the operation, troops successfully dismantled multiple terrorist camps, neutralised several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and recovered an extensive cache of arms and ammunition, including rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and other military hardware abandoned by fleeing insurgents. The recovered weapons are currently being analysed to trace supply chains and identify networks supporting terrorist operations across the North-East According to military officials, the offensive is part of a broader campaign known as Operation Desert Sanity V, aimed at disrupting insurgent infrastructures within the Sambisa Forest and preventing terrorists from regrouping to launch attacks on civilian populations or military installations. The operation also seeks to deny insurgents access to strategic routes and forest hideouts, which they have long exploited to carry out raids and abductions. The destruction of the camps and seizure of weapons represents a major tactical victory for the Nigerian Armed Forces, which have been under pressure to contain persistent insurgent attacks across Borno and neighbouring states. The Sambisa Forest, infamous for sheltering terrorist elements for over a decade, has been the focus of repeated military offensives, but dense vegetation and complex terrain have historically provided militants with natural cover. This latest military success coincides with recent international counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria, including U.S.-backed airstrikes targeting ISIS-linked camps in Bauni Forest, Sokoto State, highlighting growing regional and global cooperation to neutralise extremist threats. Defence analysts say such collaborations, combined with intensive ground operations like those in Sambisa, are critical for degrading insurgent capabilities and restoring security to the North-East. While specific casualty figures from the operation have not been disclosed, military sources noted that the destruction of the camps and seizure of weapons will significantly weaken the operational capacity of terrorist groups in the region. Officials also emphasized the importance of civilian support, particularly from volunteer forces familiar with the terrain, in enabling the army to locate and neutralise insurgent hideouts effectively. The Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, stressing that continued vigilance, joint operations, and intelligence-driven offensives will be necessary to fully eliminate terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest and beyond. The success of the operation has been welcomed by local communities, who have long suffered from abductions, attacks, and destruction of property at the hands of insurgents. Security experts believe that sustained military campaigns, coupled with community cooperation, are essential to achieving long-term peace and stability in Borno State and the wider North-East region. As Nigeria enters 2026, the destruction of these camps signals a renewed determination by the government and security agencies to eradicate terrorism and protect lives and property, reaffirming that insurgent groups will continue to face relentless pressure from well-coordinated military operations on the ground.