Dare Babalola
A terrorist leader, his cameraman, and several other insurgents have been killed by troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, in Borno State.
The Media Information Officer for Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, revealed in a statement on Friday that the terrorists were killed in an operation on Thursday.
According to the statement, the terrorists, operating from the Mandara Mountains, attempted to infiltrate a military base in Bitta before the troops unleashed coordinated defensive fire.
The statement reads, “At about 0030 hours on 18 December 2025, troops, supported by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing towards the area.
“Exercising tactical restraint and professionalism, the troops allowed the terrorists to move into an effective engagement range before unleashing coordinated defensive fires. The engagement resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents, including a key terrorist leader and his cameraman.
“As the surviving terrorists attempted to withdraw, follow-on precision strikes were subsequently 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 equipment and logistics. Items recovered include a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios, 11 AK-47 magazines 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 encounter and subsequent air strikes.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high as operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety and security of communities within the area of responsibility.”
