Army Crushes Terrorist Infiltration in Borno

In a swift and devastating display of tactical superiority, troops of Operation HADIN KAI have eliminated a prominent terrorist leader and his official cameraman during a botched assault on a military base in Borno State. The encounter, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, December 18, 2025, serves as a significant blow to the propaganda machinery and operational leadership of the insurgents operating within the Mandara Mountains axis.

The military breakthrough was confirmed in a detailed statement released on Friday by the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba. According to the report, the insurgents had planned a stealthy infiltration of the military installation located in the Bitta area, unaware that their movements were being monitored by advanced surveillance systems long before they reached their target.

The engagement began around 12:30 AM when military sensors detected a group of armed elements advancing through the rugged terrain. Demonstrating what the military described as “tactical restraint,” the troops held their fire, allowing the terrorists to move deep into the “effective engagement range.” This professional patience ensured that the subsequent defensive fire was as lethal and concentrated as possible, leaving the attackers with little room to maneuver.

As the troops unleashed a coordinated barrage of gunfire, the insurgent group was reportedly thrown into chaos. Among those neutralized in the immediate firefight were a high-ranking commander and an accompanying cameraman, the latter of whom is believed to be responsible for filming attacks for the group’s recruitment and propaganda videos. The loss of such specialized personnel is expected to hamper the group’s ability to project strength online.

The carnage did not end with the ground engagement. As the surviving elements of the terrorist unit attempted a desperate retreat back toward the Mandara Mountains, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was scrambled into action. Precision air strikes were launched against the retreating fighters, further decimating their ranks and successfully disrupting their established escape routes through the dense forest.

A subsequent “exploitation of the area” by ground troops on Friday morning revealed the sheer scale of the terrorists’ defeat. Soldiers discovered multiple blood trails and shallow graves scattered across the site, suggesting that the casualty count was significantly higher than the bodies immediately recovered. This discovery points to a desperate attempt by the survivors to bury their fallen comrades before fleeing the superior firepower of the Nigerian forces.

The recovery of hardware from the scene further underscores the tactical nature of the foiled mission. Beyond the standard AK-47 rifles and bandoliers, troops seized a professional camcorder, multiple handheld radios, seven mobile phones, and heavy-duty PKT machine guns. The inventory also included significant quantities of GPMG-linked ammunition, alongside motorcycles and bicycles used by the insurgents for mobility in the difficult North East terrain.

This victory in Bitta highlights the evolving nature of the counter-insurgency operations in the region, where technology and ground-air coordination are increasingly proving decisive. Lieutenant Colonel Uba emphasized that the morale of the troops remains exceptionally high, as they continue to deny the terrorists “freedom of action” across the state. The successful defense of the Bitta base has effectively secured the surrounding communities from what could have been a major security breach.

For the residents of Borno, this latest development offers a measure of reassurance as the year draws to a close. The elimination of a leader capable of coordinating mountain-based attacks provides a tactical breathing space for the security forces to further solidify their hold on the Mandara axis. The military has vowed to maintain its high state of alertness to ensure that the remnants of the decimated group are unable to regroup or launch retaliatory strikes.

As the exploitation of the area continues, the recovered digital equipment, including the mobile phones and camcorder, will likely be analyzed by intelligence units to gain more insight into the insurgents’ future plans. This intelligence-led approach remains central to the military’s strategy of staying one step ahead of a fading but still dangerous adversary.