Troops Recover Five Boko Haram, ISWAP Bodies After Failed Borno Attack

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have recovered the bodies of five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during ongoing exploitation operations in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The recovery followed a failed terrorist attack on troops in Kukawa on August 29, 2026, according to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

Goni said the bodies were discovered on Thursday, September 3, when troops conducting exploitation operations north-east of Kukawa towards the Jemmu-Alagarno axis found the decomposing remains.

According to the statement, the terrorists were believed to have sustained fatal injuries from air strikes carried out by Nigerian Air Force platforms during the earlier engagement.

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“The recovery was made on Thursday 3 September 2026, when troops conducting exploitation operations North-East of Kukawa towards the Jemmu–Alagarno axis discovered the decomposing bodies of 5 terrorists believed to have sustained fatal injuries from air strikes of the Nigerian Airforce platforms in Air Component – OPHK during the earlier engagement and subsequent withdrawal,” the statement said.

The military said the discovery provided further evidence of the casualties suffered by the terrorists during the failed attack and their withdrawal from the area.

“The discovery provides further evidence of the losses suffered by the terrorists during the failed attack and their subsequent withdrawal from the area,” it said.

It added that the terrorists appeared to have abandoned their dead and wounded colleagues while fleeing under pressure from ground troops and supporting air operations.

During a further search of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, a solar panel, a camouflage shuttle bag, a prayer mat, an empty ammunition link and a raincoat, among other items.

The statement said the bodies were subsequently buried in situ while troops continued to exploit the general area before returning safely to base.

The latest discovery brings to nine the number of additional terrorist bodies recovered during exploitation operations following the failed attack on Kukawa.

The military said the recovery was in addition to other equipment and personal effects earlier found along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.

Operation HADIN KAI troops, it said, remained “vigilant and determined to sustain pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, deny them freedom of action and prevent them from regrouping or threatening communities within the North East zone.”