Nigerian Troops Hit Boko Haram Hard in Sambisa Forest, K!ll 5 Terrorists and Recover Weapons – Army Reveals

 

In a powerful show of strength and determination, Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have launched a fresh and successful offensive against Boko Haram terrorists who have been hiding in the notorious Sambisa Forest. According to the Nigerian Army, this latest operation took place on Saturday, May 11, 2025, and has dealt a heavy blow to the terrorists.

The update was made public by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, who is the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI. He issued a detailed statement on Sunday, shedding light on how the operation was carried out and what the outcomes were.

Captain Kovangiya explained that the military operation targeted Ladin Buttu, a key Boko Haram enclave located deep within Sambisa Forest. This location has long been known as one of the strongholds of the terrorist group.

“During the operation in Ladin Buttu, which is one of the key terrorist enclaves, troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle, leveraging their superior firepower and dexterity to neutralize five terrorists. The troops also recovered five fully loaded AK47 rifle magazines and other ordnance,” the statement read.

This means that not only did Nigerian troops kill five Boko Haram fighters during the gun battle, they also successfully seized five AK-47 rifle magazines that were already fully loaded, as well as other dangerous weapons and military supplies that the terrorists were using.

But that’s not all. After the main clash, the soldiers continued their patrol of the area and discovered more clues that the terrorists had sustained more damage than initially visible.

"Further operations in the area revealed signs of blood on the terrorists' withdrawal routes, indicating that those who escaped suffered gunshot wounds. Ladin Buttu is a strategic location for the insurgents, allowing them to coordinate logistics and move within the forest."

What this means is that some of the terrorists who managed to flee were injured in the fight, and the blood trails left behind on their escape routes prove it. It’s very likely that these wounded insurgents may not survive for long or may be captured in follow-up operations. The military also emphasized that Ladin Buttu is a very important hideout for Boko Haram because they use it to organize supplies, move troops, and plan attacks deep within the thick forest.

So, by hitting this location hard, the Nigerian Army has disrupted their activities in a very strategic way.

Captain Kovangiya further said that the top military leadership is very impressed with how the operation was carried out. The bravery, quick thinking, and tactical skills of the soldiers were recognized and applauded.

“Operations HADIN KAI leadership commended the troops for their bravery and tactical prowess, noting that the exploit aligns with the recent operational directives of the Chief of Army Staff for invigorating offensive operations on all fronts.”

This latest success shows that the Army is seriously implementing the new directives from the Chief of Army Staff, which focus on taking the fight to the terrorists more aggressively, rather than waiting for them to strike.

The battle against terrorism in Nigeria is far from over, but victories like this one in Sambisa Forest remind us that with consistent action, strategy, and courage from our armed forces, Boko Haram can be defeated.

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