The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar, says intelligence cooperation with the United States is strengthening Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
He spoke during a visit by defence correspondents to Maiduguri. Abubakar said the Nigerian military now relies on high-level intelligence shared by the U.S. to guide air and ground operations.
According to him, the partnership has increased the accuracy and speed of military strikes.
Abubakar said credible intelligence has helped troops neutralise more terrorists across key locations. These include the Sambisa Forest and the Timbuktu Triangle.
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He noted that recent reports of terrorists being killed resulted from sustained airstrikes and coordinated ground assaults.
“The intelligence we receive has added strong momentum to our operations,” he said.
The military focuses on leadership decapitation
The theatre commander revealed that troops have received orders to intensify kinetic operations. As a result, the military has neutralised 54 key Boko Haram leaders.
One of them was Abu Fatima, who carried a ₦100 million bounty.
Abubakar said the military is deliberately targeting the command structure of the insurgents.
“When we remove their leaders, we weaken their ability to make decisions,” he explained. “Once leadership collapses, the entire structure suffers.”
Abubakar disclosed that sustained pressure on insurgents has forced mass surrenders. In 2025 alone, more than 16,000 Boko Haram suspects and their families surrendered.
He said the development has improved security in the Northeast. It has also helped restore socio-economic activities in affected communities.
Despite the gains, the theatre commander said collaborators continue to support terrorists with logistics. He described this as one of the biggest obstacles to a quick victory.
To counter this, the military launched the “Logistics Strangulation Operation”.
The military cuts off terrorist supply chains
Abubakar said the operation focuses on disrupting terrorist supply routes. He explained that without fuel and supplies, insurgents cannot operate effectively.
“In this month alone, we recovered over 10,000 litres of petroleum products and lubricants from collaborators,” he said.
He stressed that while collaboration complicates the fight, the military remains committed to dismantling both terrorist networks and their support systems.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
