Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Joint Taskforce North-East have discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle. The bodies were reportedly buried by their cohorts.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday, saying the discovery underscores the scale of terrorist casualties and discredits their propaganda narratives.
Uba added that troops continued advancing into the Timbuktu Triangle, achieving significant operational gains and degrading terrorist networks. Key locations cleared include Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma areas. Troops engaged fleeing terrorist elements, neutralising several in the process.
On 20 January 2026, troops encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) about six kilometres north of Chiralia. One VBIED was neutralised, while the second breached defensive positions, affecting logistics platforms. Some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed or injured. The wounded were evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters under continuous air support from the Nigerian Air Force.
Uba said the security situation across the theatre remains generally stable, with high morale and continued operations against fleeing terrorists.
“Troops of OPHK remain resolute in their commitment to protect civilians, dismantle terrorist networks, and restore lasting peace and security across the North East,” he stated.
