Nigerian forces have discovered a major underground logistics base used by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants during a sweep of a notorious insurgent stronghold in the country’s north-east.
The secret facility, which was stocked with large quantities of medical supplies, fuel, and food grains, was uncovered in the “Timbuktu Triangle”—a densely forested area of Borno State that has long served as a sanctuary for jihadist groups.
The Joint Task Force, known as Operation Hadin Kai, said the discovery followed a series of “intelligence-led” offensives on Sunday that forced the insurgents to abandon their enclaves.
Drone attacks repelled
The operation, dubbed “Desert Sanity,” saw troops advance into the heart of the triangle, covering the areas of Chilaria, Garin Faruk, and Abirma.
Military officials revealed that the advancing soldiers came under sophisticated attack from insurgent drones. Two separate drone strikes—one at midday and another in the evening—were reportedly repelled by ground forces.
“The troops maintained momentum despite the drone attacks,” said Lt. Col. Uba Sani, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force. “The second attempt was decisively repelled, forcing the terrorists to withdraw.”
Degrading the ‘logistics of terror’
The military described the underground bunker as a significant blow to the insurgents’ ability to sustain their operations. Along with the medical “pharmacy” and fuel dump, troops recovered:
- Communications gear: Baofeng radios and mobile phones.
- Ammunition: NATO-grade belted ammunition and several AK-47 magazines.
- Industrial equipment: Diesel-powered grinding machines and a pickup truck.
The Nigerian Air Force provided “persistent surveillance” throughout the raid, using real-time tracking to prevent the militants from receiving reinforcements during the battle.
A ‘calm but unpredictable’ frontline
While the Nigerian military has declared the operation a success, officials described the security situation in the Timbuktu Triangle as “calm but unpredictable.”
The use of armed drones by Boko Haram and ISWAP marks an evolving tactical challenge for the Nigerian Army, which recently launched its own surveillance drone programme in neighbouring states to counter such threats.
The military high command stated on Monday that it remains “resolute” in its mission to eliminate the remaining terrorist enclaves and restore stability to the North-East, where the insurgency has displaced millions over the past 15 years.
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