Troops foil terrorist attack on Bitta village in Borno

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have foiled a terrorists’ attack on Bitta town in Borno State, killing a top commander and the cameraman of the group.

The terrorists, operating from the Mandara Mountains, were said to have infiltrated Bitta, but met their end as the soldiers neutralised several of them, dealing a significant blow to their operational capability.

Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who made this known, said the incident occurred in the early hours of 18 December 2025, when troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing towards the area.

Exercising tactical restraint and professionalism, Lt Col Uba said the troops allowed the terrorists to move into an effective engagement range before unleashing coordinated defensive fire. The engagement resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents, including a key terrorist commander and his cameraman.

As the surviving terrorists attempted to withdraw, follow-on precision strikes were 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 weapons, equipment and logistics. Items recovered include a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK-47 magazines loaded 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 ground engagement and subsequent air strikes.

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.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai remain resolute in their commitment to decisively defeat all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the north-east region.