Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated over 60 terrorists during a joint overnight land and air offensive in Bita, located in the Gwoza axis of southern Borno State.
The attack began around 1:09am on Friday when the insurgents assaulted troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade.
In a post on X, the Nigerian Army described the operation as “decisive and coordinated”, adding that a land and air assault obliterated the terrorists.
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“In a decisive and coordinated operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist positions in Bita, Borno State, in the early hours of today,” the statement reads.
“The intense battle resulted in the neutralization of at least 60 terrorists.”
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the troops engaged the attackers in a prolonged firefight that lasted until approximately 3:23am.
The air component deployed A-29 Super Tucanos and the Dragon platform, providing real-time aerial support and precision strikes.
Quoting military sources, the publication said at least 60 terrorists were killed with two enemy gun trucks destroyed.
Ground forces then commenced immediate exploitation operations to pursue fleeing elements of the terrorist group.
“The battle is still ongoing with follow-up strikes targeting retreating terrorist groups. Additional two gun trucks have been confirmed destroyed as air platforms re-engaged the fleeing insurgents,” Zagazola quoted one source as saying.
“This operation marks one of the most decisive and devastating hits against ISWAP in recent months.”
On Thursday, it was reported that a deadly ambush had claimed the lives of nine members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) following a fierce overnight battle with suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)/Boko Haram insurgents in the Marte area of Borno State.
According to a situation report from Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) Base 8, the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at approximately 1:10 am, when heavily armed fighters suspected to be affiliated with ISWAP or Boko Haram launched an assault on CJTF positions in Marte.
The CJTF, a volunteer security outfit assisting the Nigerian military in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, engaged the insurgents in a prolonged gunfight. Despite being outnumbered and under heavy fire, the CJTF successfully repelled the attackers, inflicting casualties and forcing them to retreat.
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However, the situation took a tragic turn shortly after. As the CJTF attempted to recover the body of one of their fallen members, they unknowingly triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the retreating insurgents. The explosion killed nine CJTF members instantly.
In addition to the CJTF casualties, the report confirmed that several civilians who had been captured by the insurgents during the attack were later gruesomely executed before the terrorists fled the area.