On Thursday, December 18, 2025, troops from Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) foiled an infiltration attempt by insurgents on a military base in Bitta, Borno State.
A terrorist leader, his cameraman, and several other insurgents were killed by the troops.
This was disclosed in a statement issued and made available to reporters on Friday by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba. He said the operation that led to the killing of the terrorists occurred on Thursday.
According to the statement, the terrorists, operating from the Mandara Mountains, attempted to infiltrate a military base in Bitta before the troops unleashed coordinated defensive fire.
The statement reads:
“At about 0030 hours on 18 December 2025, troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing towards the area.
“Exercising tactical restraint and professionalism, the troops allowed the terrorists to move into an effective engagement range before unleashing coordinated defensive fires. The engagement resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents, including a key terrorist leader and his cameraman.
“As the surviving terrorists attempted to withdraw, follow-on precision strikes were subsequently conducted by the Air Component of OPHK, further decimating the retreating elements and disrupting their escape routes.
“Following the engagement, troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area, leading to the recovery of significant terrorist equipment and logistics. Items recovered include a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK-47 magazines with rounds, seven mobile phones, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.
“Further exploitation revealed multiple blood trails and shallow graves, indicative of additional casualties sustained by the terrorists during the encounter and subsequent air strikes.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high as operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety and security of communities within the area of responsibility.”
