Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled an early-morning attempt by terrorists to infiltrate Bitta from the Mandara Mountains, neutralised several insurgents and significantly disrupted their operational plans.
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 18, 2025, when OPHK troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected suspicious movements by terrorists advancing toward the community. Acting with tactical precision, the troops allowed the insurgents to move into an effective engagement range before launching a coordinated defensive fire, according to the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba disclosed that the engagement resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, including a key commander and his cameraman. He added that as the surviving elements attempted to flee, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out follow-on precision strikes, further degrading the retreating fighters and cutting off their escape routes.
A subsequent exploitation of the area by ground troops led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and logistics. Items recovered included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 loaded AK-47 magazines, seven mobile phones, PKT machine guns, belts of PKT and GPMG linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.
Further assessment of the area revealed multiple blood trails and shallow graves, suggesting additional casualties suffered by the terrorists during the encounter and the subsequent air strikes.
The military said troops’ morale remained high as ongoing operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action and enhance the safety of communities within the Area of Responsibility. Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its resolve to sustain offensive actions aimed at decisively defeating terrorist elements and restoring lasting peace and stability across Nigeria’s North-East region.
