 have successfully thwarted a terrorist attempt to infiltrate Bitta from the Mandara Mountains){kind=link}
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully thwarted a terrorist attempt to infiltrate Bitta from the Mandara Mountains, neutralising several insurgents and seizing a cache of weapons and equipment.
The development was confirmed in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of 18 December 2025, when troops, aided by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing towards the town.
“Exercising tactical restraint, the troops allowed the insurgents to move into an effective engagement range before opening coordinated defensive fire. The clash resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, including a key commander and his cameraman.”
“As the surviving insurgents attempted to retreat, follow-up precision strikes were carried out by the air component of OPHK, further decimating the fleeing elements and disrupting their escape routes.”
“Subsequent operations by the troops led to the recovery of significant terrorist weapons and logistics. Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, bandoliers, loaded magazines, handheld radios, mobile phones, motorcycles, bicycles, and a camcorder.”
The troops also discovered multiple blood trails and shallow graves, pointing to additional casualties sustained by the terrorists during the ground and air engagements.
The statement further noted that the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high, with ongoing operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring the safety of communities in the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain committed to defeating all terrorist elements and restoring lasting peace and stability across the North-East.