…the troops exercised tactical restraint by allowing the insurgents to move into an effective engagement range before launching a coordinated assault.
BORNO, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled a pre-dawn attempt by terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, killing a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and several other insurgents in what has been described as a major setback to the group’s operations.
A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the encounter took place at about 12:30 a.m. on December 18, 2025, after troops detected the terrorists’ movement through advanced surveillance systems.
According to the source, the troops exercised tactical restraint by allowing the insurgents to move into an effective engagement range before launching a coordinated assault. During the exchange, several terrorists, including a senior commander and his cameraman, were neutralised.
The source added that as the remaining insurgents tried to withdraw, follow-up air strikes were carried out, cutting off their escape routes. Troops also recovered a cache of weapons and logistics, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, bandoliers, radios, magazines, mobile phones, motorcycles, bicycles and a camcorder. Evidence such as bloodstains and shallow graves suggested that more insurgents sustained fatal injuries.
He further noted that troop morale remains high as operations continue to restrict terrorist movements and enhance the safety of local communities.
