Operation Hadin Kai Neutralizes 60 Terrorists in Bita, Borno, in Joint Land-Air Offensive

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), neutralized at least 60 terrorists in Bita, a known Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stronghold in the Gwoza axis of southern Borno State, during a fierce overnight encounter at 1:09 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. The coordinated land and air assault, involving the 26 Task Force Brigade of Sector 1 and NAF’s Air Component, repelled an attempted terrorist assault on a military position, as confirmed by a reliable military source to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri. The operation destroyed two enemy gun trucks and marked a major blow to ISWAP, with ongoing follow-up airstrikes targeting fleeing insurgents.

The Air Component deployed A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Dragon platform, delivering precision strikes that neutralized scores of insurgents and their logistics, according to the source. Ground forces have commenced exploitation operations to pursue surviving terrorists, with additional gun trucks destroyed as airstrikes continue in surrounding forests. A senior military official, speaking anonymously, described the operation as “one of the most decisive and devastating hits against ISWAP in recent months,” attributing its success to the synergy between air and ground forces. The Nigerian Army’s official X handle, @HQNigerianArmy, highlighted the operation’s significance in advancing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East, where Bita has seen heightened ISWAP activity in recent weeks, prompting intensified military action.

This operation follows a deadly ISWAP attack in Marte, Borno, on May 27, 2025, which killed nine Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and several civilians, underscoring the persistent threat in the region. The Bita offensive demonstrates Operation Hadin Kai’s resolve to dismantle terrorist networks, amid challenges like foreign mercenaries training insurgents in drone use, as noted by Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar. Posts on X, including from @ZagazOlaMakama and @voiceofnigeria, reflect public acknowledgment of the military’s efforts, with sentiments emphasizing the operation’s impact on restoring peace.