Latest news with #OperationHadinKai
Al Jazeera
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Nigeria says troops kill dozens of gunmen in northwest and northeast
Nigeria's military and security forces have killed dozens of armed men in separate operations in the northwest and the northeast of the country, authorities have said. Security forces killed at least 30 gunmen after armed attacks in the restive northwest, Nasir Mua'zu, Katsina state's commissioner for internal affairs, said on Thursday. He claimed 'criminals' were raiding three villages on Tuesday when they were killed by government forces. A joint police and military operation was launched on Wednesday after hundreds of armed men attacked several villages, Mua'zu added in a statement. He said a civilian, two soldiers and three policemen were also killed. 'Our gallant security forces successfully repelled the attackers … Thirty of the criminals were neutralised through coordinated air strikes as they attempted to escape,' Mua'zu said. 'We are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens.' Separately, in Nigeria's northeast, the military 'neutralised' 24 armed fighters in days of coordinated operations, an army statement said on Thursday. TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI NEUTRALIZE 24 BOKO HARAM INSURGENTS AND RECOVER WEAPONS IN OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS BETWEEN 4 – 9 JULY 2025 In continuation of the series of coordinated offensive operations across the North East Theatre of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI… — Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) July 10, 2025 Nigerian troops backed by air support and local forces killed several fighters from Boko Haram and the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in operations between July 4 and 9, the army wrote on X. The operations were carried out in restive Borno state and surrounding regions, said the statement by Reuben Kovangiya, an army spokesman for the military operations. 'The neutralisation of 24 insurgents with close air support underscores the determination, collaboration, and concerted efforts by the troops of OPHK [Operation Hadin Kai], to ensure terrorists are placed on the back foot, thereby creating conducive environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive in the North East region,' Kovangiya said. Northeast Nigeria has faced attacks since the 2000s from armed gangs as well as groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. The Boko Haram insurgency has killed some 35,000 civilians since 2009, and more than two million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. Meanwhile, in the central and northwest regions, criminal gangs and banditry are rife. Katsina is part of an area that has for years been terrorised by gangs who stage deadly raids and kidnappings and burn homes after looting them. The gangs maintain camps in forests straddling Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in the northwest, and Niger in the country's centre, and have carried out mass kidnappings of students from schools. Last month, state officials signed a peace pact with a dozen bandit leaders, hoping to bring lasting respite ahead of the planting season. Nigerian authorities' claims of deadly operations against members of armed gangs have been disputed in the past.
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Business Insider
Jihadist groups exploiting Starlink amid African expansion, new report warns
A newly released investigative report has raised growing concern over the unchecked spread of Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, across parts of Africa, particularly its use by jihadist groups in conflict zones. Starlink's portable and high-speed internet enhances insurgent groups' operations, facilitating communication and coordination. Satellite terminals have been found in several conflict zones, with reports of their misuse by groups like JNIM and Boko Haram. Experts recommend stronger regulatory measures to prevent misuse of satellite internet services in conflict-prone areas. Over the past two years, numerous photos and videos posted online by militant factions have shown Starlink terminals in active use, raising alarm among regional governments and international partners. Le Monde reports that in June 2024, a Starlink device recognizable by its white satellite dish mounted on a tripod was seen in a video released by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate. The footage, filmed during an operation in Mali's Gao region, showed JNIM forces engaging Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants. Last year, a similar incident was reported in Nigeria, where members of the Boko Haram terrorist group were found using Starlink in the insurgent-controlled Sambisa Forest. According to counterinsurgency expert and security analyst Zagazola Makama, Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai killed a top Boko Haram commander, Tahir Baga, and recovered items including a Starlink Wi-Fi terminal, mobile phones, and assorted weapons during the operation. The report, based on intelligence sources, social media monitoring, and field observations, documents how armed groups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad are increasingly using Starlink kits to enhance their communication capabilities. Militants gain connectivity amid Starlink's growth As of mid-2025, Starlink is officially active in 24 of Africa's 54 countries While this growth is seen as a boost for connectivity and economic development, analysts warn it is also empowering insurgent and terrorist groups. Armed factions such as JNIM, ISSP, and others are reportedly using the satellite network to livestream propaganda, coordinate attacks in real time, and evade surveillance thereby greatly enhancing their operational capabilities. Unlike traditional internet infrastructure, which is often disrupted or absent in remote or unstable regions, Starlink offers high-speed, portable, and encrypted internet access with minimal detection. In a risk analysis bulletin published on May 12 and cited by Le Monde, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), a global network of security experts, confirmed that jihadist groups such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) are ' exploiting the portable, high-speed connectivity [of Starlink] to enhance their operations. ' Nigerien security forces reported the seizure of Starlink terminals during counterterrorism raids in the Tillabéri and Tahoua regions of western Niger. Starlink's network functions through a constellation of 8,800 low-orbit satellites—according to a June estimate—allowing it to provide internet even in the most remote regions. Unlike conventional land-based infrastructure, which reaches just 37% of the continent, Starlink offers near-total internet coverage. Loopholes Enable Militant Connectivity The report also points to a regulatory blind spot: many of these terminals are smuggled in or purchased through third-party resellers in neighboring countries with limited controls. For example, Mali, where JNIM reportedly used Starlink during an operation, is not officially listed among the countries where Starlink is authorized, yet videos confirm its active use there as early as June 2024. This highlights a broader trend: Starlink is being used in some African countries without formal government approval, particularly in regions like Mali and parts of Niger, where access is often facilitated through smuggling and unregulated cross-border trade.
News18
29-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Nigeria Arrests 4 Pakistanis, Accuses Foreign Mercenaries Of Training Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists
Last Updated: Abubakar noted that foreign mercenaries provide both tactical and strategic training to the terrorists of ISWAP and Boko Haram. The theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai of Nigeria, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, raised concerns about the increasing infiltration of foreign mercenaries into the north-east region of the country, exacerbating the threat from terrorist groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram. Abubakar, during a media tour in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, highlighted that the involvement of these mercenaries has led to the adoption of more advanced tactics by terrorist organisations. The tactics include: Use of drones for surveillance and attacks, the production of sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and the setting of traps aimed at military personnel. 'The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS," the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai was quoted as saying by The Cable. The Nigerian army on Wednesday informed that four Pakistani nationals were arrested over their alleged ties to terrorism. The arrested Pakistanis were suspected of arms trafficking with terrorists. It was highlighted that the arrests were indicative of the growing external support. Abubakar noted that these mercenaries provide both tactical and strategic training to the terrorists. The commander also pointed out an increasing coordination among terrorist networks. 'The growing influence of these mercenaries is evident in the terrorists' increasing coordinated assets, leading to greater casualties among troops and significant equipment losses," he added. In response to this, Abubakar has called for an immediate and coordinated response, emphasising the need for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. He also urged a stronger collaboration between Nigeria and neighboring countries to disrupt cross-border support networks. He stressed that Boko Haram and ISWAP are not just waging war against the armed forces but against Nigeria as a whole. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:58 IST
