By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration at Bitta in Sector 1, dealing another significant setback to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate a military position at Bitta in a desperate effort to regain momentum following recent battlefield losses.
However, vigilant troops of Operation Hadin Kai had anticipated the move and prepared a coordinated offensive–defensive strategy to counter the attack.
As the terrorists advanced toward the troops’ location, the soldiers launched well-coordinated spoiling operations that disrupted the attackers’ formation while simultaneously manoeuvring to block their withdrawal routes.
The terrorists were subsequently met with overwhelming resistance and superior firepower, forcing them into a disorderly retreat while suffering significant casualties.
Military authorities noted that the failed infiltration marks the third major setback suffered by the insurgents within a 24-hour period, following earlier unsuccessful attacks on troops’ positions at Azir Bridge and Banki.
The statement said the repeated defeats highlight the sustained operational pressure being mounted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai across the theatre, which has significantly restricted the terrorists’ ability to operate or exploit propaganda narratives.
Troops remain firmly in control of the affected locations and continue to dominate the operational environment through high morale, effective tactical coordination and sustained offensive actions against insurgent elements.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to maintain the current operational tempo in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
