By Deji Adesogan
The month of May 2026 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the bloodiest and most devastating periods for BokoHaram and ISWAP terrorists operating in Nigeria’s North East region. Throughout the month, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), supported by intensified air offensives, improved intelligence coordination, and enhanced international military cooperation, sustained relentless pressure on insurgent enclaves across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. This led to heavy terrorist casualties, the destruction of hideouts, and major operational setbacks for the insurgents.
From the Southern Tumbuns and Sambisa Forest to the Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad fringes, terrorists came under sustained assault from coordinated land and air operations. The renewed operational momentum demonstrated a more aggressive and intelligence-driven approach by the Nigerian military, aimed at denying insurgents freedom of movement, disrupting their logistics networks, and dismantling their operational capabilities across the theatre.
One of the most significant operational breakthroughs recorded during the month was the successful repulsion of coordinated ISWAP attacks on military formations in Yobe State. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by the air component, foiled attempts by terrorists to overrun military positions in Buni Gari and Goniri, killing scores of insurgents during fierce engagements. In one of the operations, over 50 terrorists were neutralized after troops mounted what military authorities described as a devastating counteroffensive against the attackers.
Similarly, troops operating under Operation DESERT SANITY neutralized several terrorists in Borno and Yobe States during clearance operations and ambush missions targeted at identified insurgent corridors. In Kirawa, along the Nigeria-Cameroon border axis, troops thwarted another attempted attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters, neutralizing terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and explosives.
The operational tempo also led to major humanitarian successes. Troops rescued dozens of abducted civilians from terrorist captivity during coordinated clearance missions across several parts of the North East. Additional operations resulted in the rescue of abducted women and children, the arrest of terrorist collaborators, and the recovery of weapons and explosives from insurgent camps.
One of the defining moments of the month was the successful joint Nigeria-United States intelligence-driven air operation which reportedly eliminated Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, also known as “Manok,” widely regarded as the number two leader within ISWAP and one of the group’s most influential operational commanders. The operation, which also led to the elimination of several ISWAP fighters and commanders, dealt a major blow to the terrorist organization’s leadership structure and operational coordination capability.
The successful targeting of Manok demonstrated the growing effectiveness of Nigeria’s military collaboration with the United States in counterterrorism operations. Battle damage assessment indicated that four major enclaves were effectively neutralized around Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area, out of about 15 identified operational positions used by the insurgents across the axis.
Another joint Nigeria-US airstrike neutralized over 30 additional ISWAP terrorists in Arege, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, on 30th May. According to sources, the coordinated strike targeted a terrorist camp where insurgents were reportedly planning and coordinating hostile activities within the Lake Chad region. Through enhanced intelligence sharing, aerial surveillance, target acquisition, and precision strike coordination, Nigerian forces have increasingly been able to locate and destroy high-value terrorist targets across the North East theatre.
The growing bilateral security partnership between Nigeria and the United States reflects increasing international confidence in Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign and underscores the importance of global collaboration in confronting terrorism and violent extremism within the Lake Chad Basin region.
Behind the improved bilateral security cooperation is the strategic diplomatic engagement of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whose efforts have continued to strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with key international partners, especially the United States. Since assuming office, Ribadu has consistently pursued robust security diplomacy aimed at rebuilding strategic alliances, enhancing intelligence sharing, and mobilizing global support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations. His engagements have continued to yield tangible operational benefits for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly in intelligence support, operational coordination, and military capacity enhancement.
Equally central to the renewed operational successes is the robust synergy, strategic leadership, and operational guidance provided by the service chiefs. Worthy of note is that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has consistently maintained a firm and aggressive operational posture against terrorism, repeatedly charging troops to sustain offensive actions, dominate the battlespace, and deny insurgents any safe haven within the theatre. His emphasis on professionalism, operational efficiency, intelligence-led operations, jointness, and troop welfare has continued to inspire troops deployed across frontline locations. Lieutenant General Shaibu’s operational directives and engagements reflect a clear understanding that counterinsurgency warfare requires persistence, adaptability, and sustained offensive pressure against enemy elements.
At the operational level, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has equally played a critical role in sustaining the recent gains recorded within the theatre. Widely regarded as one of the most experienced senior officer in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations, Major General Abubakar has brought extensive battlefield experience and tactical expertise to the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Under his leadership, troops have demonstrated improved coordination between land and air components, resulting in more effective targeting, enhanced battlefield dominance, and the successful execution of coordinated offensives across multiple fronts. The increased operational tempo, intelligence exploitation, and battlefield successes witnessed during May are indicative of a command structure focused on maintaining operational superiority over insurgent forces.
Importantly, the aggressive operational tempo sustained by Operation HADIN KAI throughout the month significantly contributed to the peaceful and attack-free Eid el-Kabir celebrations observed across much of the North East on 27 and 28 May 2026. Despite previous threats traditionally associated with festive periods in the region, terrorists were unable to carry out major bomb attacks or coordinated assaults during the Sallah celebrations due to the sustained military pressure mounted against them before and during the festivities. The peaceful Sallah celebrations in May served as further evidence that sustained offensive operations, proactive intelligence gathering, and effective troop deployment can significantly reduce the operational capabilities of terrorist groups and provide safer conditions for civilian populations.
Although the war against terrorism is not yet over, the operational achievements recorded in May 2026 clearly indicate that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters are under unprecedented pressure from sustained military offensives. The combination of aggressive operations by Operation HADIN KAI, strengthened international cooperation, strategic guidance from the nation’s security leadership, and effective operational command within the theatre is gradually changing the dynamics of the conflict in favor of Nigerian forces. For terrorists operating within the North East, May 2026 proved to be a bloody and devastating month marked by heavy casualties, shrinking operational space, the destruction of strongholds, and increasing battlefield setbacks.
Finally, for Nigerians, particularly communities affected by insurgency, the recent military successes provide renewed hope that lasting peace, security, and stability can ultimately be restored to the region through sustained military commitment, strategic leadership, and international collaboration. As troops continue to make enormous sacrifices in defence of the nation, there is a growing need for sustained public support, national unity, and responsible media engagement in the fight against terrorism. The media, civil society organizations, and members of the public must continue to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria through constructive engagement, timely information sharing, and encouragement of troops operating in difficult and dangerous environments.
The fight against terrorism is not solely a military responsibility but a collective national effort requiring the support, trust, and cooperation of all Nigerians. With sustained operational momentum, strategic leadership, and national support, the dream of a peaceful and secure North East remains achievable.
Deji Adesogan is a security analyst and digital communications expert. He can be reached via [email protected] or on X (Twitter) @DejiAdesogan.