By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully thwarted an early-morning attempt by terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, delivering a decisive blow to the group’s operational capacity through coordinated ground and air actions.
The development was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba. According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of 18 December 2025, when troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected suspicious movement by terrorists advancing towards the area.
Displaying tactical restraint and professionalism, the troops reportedly allowed the terrorists to move into an effective engagement range before unleashing well-coordinated defensive fire. The ensuing engagement led to the neutralisation of several insurgents, including a key terrorist commander and his cameraman.
As the surviving elements attempted to retreat, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out follow-on precision strikes, further decimating the fleeing terrorists and disrupting their escape routes from the area.
In the aftermath of the encounter, troops conducted a comprehensive exploitation of the location, resulting in the recovery of a cache of terrorist weapons, equipment, and logistics. Items recovered included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK-47 magazines loaded with ammunition, seven mobile phones, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.
Further exploitation of the area revealed multiple blood trails and shallow graves, suggesting additional casualties suffered by the terrorists during the ground engagement and subsequent air strikes.
The statement noted that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high, as ongoing operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety and security of communities within the Area of Responsibility.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed that its troops remain resolute in their commitment to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the North-East region.
