Ahmed Miringa 
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has requested for clarifications over the presence of American troops in Nigeria. The group expressed concern for the safety of Muslim leaders in particular and the sovereignty of Nigeria in general. It interrogated the US goal of protecting Nigerian Christians and also called on Nigerian leaders to take hold of the nation’s destiny. This was contained in a statement sent to Saturday Telegraph yesterday by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola. The statement read in part: “The United States of America confirmed three days ago that its troops were already on ground in Nigeria. “The Federal Government also confirmed this later on the same day although the Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, later said they were ‘not combat forces. “MURIC considers this development as an over reach and the secrecy surrounding US troop deployment to Nigeria disturbing. “While we welcome cooperation between Nigeria and the US in the fight against terrorism, we do not think US boots on ground is necessary. “In the first place, we regard it as a discriminatory and selective response of the US to the question of religious persecution in Nigeria. “We assert that there is nothing like Christian genocide in Nigeria.
…Recovers arms and ammunition in Sambiza forest, Mandara mountain
The troops of the Northeast Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), of the Nigerian Military has killed two Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Basulhu and Ubauda and 10 other terrorists.
New Telegraph gathered that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as other logistics in various Operations in Sambiza Forest and Mandara Mountain.
The theater Command Operation Hadin Kai in a statement issued by its spokesman, Lt Col. Uba Sani which was made available to journalists in Maiduguri on Friday said “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on 22 January 2026. “.
The OPHK said, “The insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire, but impressively, troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists, including 2 senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida.
Follow-up pursuit and exploitation led to the recovery of 3 AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, 5 motorcycles, 2 hand grenades, 2 Baofeng radios, 12 x AK-47 magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, detonation cords, batteries, bandoliers, camel bags, as well as iron bars and IED accessories.”
The statement read, “On a separate offensive axis, troops of Sector 1 OPHK further made contact around the Malkube area, recovering additional AK 47 rifles, ammunition, and communication devices, while 2 terrorists were neutralised without casualties to personnel.
“Earlier in the day, another Battle Group from Sector 1 engaged BHT/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate from Cameroon near Galakura into Nigeria, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. Exploitation of the area yielded insurgent equipment and supplies, including 2 motorcycles, further denying the terrorists freedom of action,” the statement added.
The command also said ” the troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high and operations would be sustained across the entire North East region. ”
The Military High Command also commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational tempo.
