YOLA, Nigeria. Nigerian troops killed 16 suspected terrorists during a series of operations in Adamawa State between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, the military said, as security forces responded to renewed attacks in communities already scarred by years of insurgent violence.
The operations were carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai. In the Boima area of Gombi Local Government Area, soldiers reportedly ambushed a suspected terrorist position and recovered three AK 47 rifles, two pump action rifles, a Dane gun, six magazines and ammunition.
Military surveillance also detected a group of suspected fighters travelling with motorcycles early on Oct. 1. The military said an air operation was carried out after the group was identified beneath tree cover. Some of the fighters were reported to have fled after the strike, although a separate casualty figure from that operation was not released.
Fighting was also reported around military positions in Garkida and Garaha. The military said insurgents attempted coordinated attacks on troops stationed in the two areas but were pushed back after exchanges of gunfire.
Three Nigerian soldiers were killed during the fighting. Other wounded personnel were evacuated for medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition. Their deaths brought a human cost to what the military described as a successful security operation.
For families living in Gombi and surrounding communities, the latest clashes are part of a much longer struggle. Residents have repeatedly faced attacks on homes, farms and places of worship, forcing some families to flee and leaving others afraid to travel or work after dark.
In September, suspected insurgents attacked Nzangula village in Gombi, killing 12 people and burning homes and a church. Residents described losing relatives and searching nearby areas for people who disappeared during the violence. Earlier in the year, another attack in Guyaku left dozens dead and deepened fears across the local government area.
Adamawa has experienced recurring violence linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, particularly in rural communities close to forested areas and routes used by armed groups. Although security forces have regained control of many territories once held by insurgents, smaller cells continue to carry out attacks, raids and ambushes.
The military says Operation Hadin Kai is continuing patrols, intelligence gathering and air operations across the North East. Residents have also been urged to report suspicious movements, particularly in communities where armed groups may attempt to hide among forests or abandoned settlements.
For people in Gombi, however, military casualty figures tell only part of the story. Farmers still need to reach their fields, children need to travel safely to school and families want to sleep without fearing another night attack. Residents have repeatedly said that lasting security will depend not only on killing or capturing fighters, but also on preventing them from returning to vulnerable communities.
