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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe State, wasting 24 insurgents and recovering a ‘large cache of arms and ammunition in the process’.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Sector 2 engaged the attackers in the early hours of the day, after they launched what was described as a “determined terrorist attack” on the Kukareta location.

The statement was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.

The statement noted that “the attack, which commenced shortly after midnight and lasted until about 0300 hours, was met with a swift and coordinated response by vigilant troops who executed a deliberate offensive-defensive action, effectively containing the assault and forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.”

Military authorities disclosed that the fierce engagement resulted in significant losses for the insurgents, with “24 terrorists neutralised so far,” while troops continue to comb the area for additional casualties and fleeing fighters.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, troops reportedly recovered a substantial stockpile of weapons and ammunition abandoned by the retreating terrorists.

Items recovered include “18 AK-47 rifles, 3 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 2 PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, 3 RPG tubes, 2 mortar tubes, 4 hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition for PKT systems.”

The military also confirmed casualties on the side of government forces.

“Troops recorded 2 personnel wounded in action, who have been stabilised,” the statement said, adding that “one reinforcing armoured tank sustained damage with all tyres blown out during the engagement,” the statement said.

Further details indicated that exploitation operations are ongoing across the battlefield, particularly along the withdrawal routes of the insurgents. These areas were described as being “littered with blood trails and medical consumables,” suggesting that more casualties may have been inflicted on the fleeing fighters.

Kukareta, located within the broader conflict-affected areas of Yobe State, has witnessed periodic insurgent incursions, making sustained military vigilance critical to preventing territorial breaches and protecting civilian populations in surrounding communities.

The Army emphasized that the successful defence of Kukareta underscores the operational strength of its forces in the North East theatre.

It stated that “this successful operations highlights the resilience, combat readiness and fire superiority of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.”

Reaffirming its commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgent groups, the military assured that “operations will continue with sustained offensive pressure to consolidate gains and decisively defeat all terrorist elements across the Joint Operations Area.”

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The Presidency has clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and former Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa voluntarily resigned their positions before President Bola Tinubu announced their replacements on Tuesday, dismissing insinuations that the two ministers were fired.

Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, citing health reasons.

He paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa on Tuesday, holding an hour-long discussion before departing to focus on his private businesses.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Edun wrote in his resignation letter, adding that Nigeria had emerged stronger and more internationally respected under Tinubu’s leadership.

Dangiwa similarly tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 under then Governor Tinubu.

He co-founded Investment Banking and Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC, in 1989, and later founded the Chapelhill Denham Group in 1994.

Dangiwa, an architect, previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2015 and 2022 and as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his ministerial appointment in August 2023.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to both men for their contributions to his administration’s economic reform programme and urged the incoming Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms with renewed focus and discipline.

The President is expected to shortly transmit the name of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, to the Senate for confirmation as the new Housing Minister.

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The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a fresh turn on Wednesday as its factional national chairman, Tanimu Turaki, was arraigned before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.

Turaki appeared before the court sitting in Maitama over allegations of giving false information to the police. The case adds another legal twist to the ongoing internal struggles within the party.

The senior lawyer, who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in open court.

Proceedings were brief but closely watched, given his position and the tension within the party.

The prosecution, led by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, told the court that the defendant had written a petition dated October 5, 2022. In the said petition, he allegedly accused one Saidi Mainasara, with “intent to trigger police action” against him. The authorities argue that the information provided in that petition was false and misleading.

Following his plea, the court considered his bail application. The presiding judge granted him bail in the sum of N100 million. The court also set conditions to ensure his appearance during trial, though details of the sureties were not extensively argued in open court.

After granting bail, the court adjourned the matter to a later date for continuation of hearing. Legal teams on both sides are expected to prepare for a more detailed argument when proceedings resume.