Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded another major success in the ongoing counterinsurgency campaign in the North East, killing several terrorists and recovering a large cache of weapons and logistics after foiling an attempted infiltration in Borno State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains attempted to move into Bitta community in Gwoza Local Government Area. Security sources said the planned attack was aimed at causing disruption and instilling fear among residents of the area before troops intercepted the group.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the movement of the terrorists was detected at about 12:30 a.m. on December 18, 2025, through advanced surveillance and intelligence assets deployed by the military.
Uba explained that troops maintained tactical discipline by allowing the insurgents to advance into an effective engagement range before launching a coordinated and overwhelming defensive response.
“Exercising tactical restraint and professionalism, the troops allowed the terrorists to move closer before unleashing coordinated defensive fires,” he said.
The intense firefight led to the neutralisation of several insurgents, including what the military described as a top terrorist fighter and his cameraman, who was reportedly responsible for documenting operations for propaganda purposes.
As the surviving terrorists attempted to withdraw from the area, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was activated. Precision air strikes were subsequently carried out on the retreating fighters, further decimating their ranks and cutting off their escape routes across the rugged terrain of the Mandara axis.
Lt. Col. Uba said the combined ground and air operations dealt a significant blow to the group’s operational capability in the area.
Following the engagement, troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the scene and recovered a variety of weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets used by the terrorists. Items recovered included AK 47 rifles, PKT machine guns, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK 47 magazines loaded with ammunition, seven mobile phones, a camcorder, belts of PKT and GPMG linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles believed to have been used for mobility.
The military further revealed that multiple blood trails and shallow graves were discovered during the search, indicating that additional terrorists may have been killed or sustained fatal injuries during the firefight and the follow up air strikes.
The Army said the latest operation underscores the effectiveness of joint ground and air operations in degrading terrorist networks and preventing attacks on civilian communities.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations across Borno State and the wider North East, assuring residents that troops remain resolute in denying terrorists freedom of movement and restoring lasting peace to affected areas.
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