Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an early-morning attempt by terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, neutralising a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and several other insurgents.

A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the encounter occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on December 18, 2025, after troops detected the movement of the terrorists using advanced surveillance assets.

According to the source, the troops exercised tactical patience, allowing the terrorists to advance into an effective engagement range before launching a coordinated counter-operation. During the exchange, several insurgents, including a senior commander and his cameraman, were neutralised.

As the remaining terrorists attempted to withdraw, follow-up air strikes targeted their escape routes, further limiting their ability to regroup or escape.

Items recovered during the operation included AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, bandoliers, radios, magazines, mobile phones, motorcycles, bicycles, and a camcorder. Indicators at the scene suggested that additional insurgents sustained casualties.

The source added that troop morale remains high, noting that ongoing operations are focused on denying terrorists freedom of movement while ensuring the safety of local communities.