Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bita, Borno State, after a fierce overnight gun battle.
The attempted assault occurred in the early hours of Saturday when insurgents launched a coordinated attack on the 26 Task Force Brigade located in the Bita area. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attack began at about 1:09 a.m., as the terrorists attempted to overrun the military formation.
However, the troops mounted a strong resistance, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire that lasted for several hours. Military sources said the soldiers maintained their defensive positions and prevented the insurgents from breaching the base.
A security source disclosed that the troops swiftly responded with a well-coordinated counteroffensive, combining both ground and aerial operations to neutralize the attackers.
“In a decisive operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched simultaneous land and air assaults on terrorist positions in Bita in the early hours,” the source said.
The operation reportedly involved close ground engagements supported by aerial surveillance and targeted airstrikes. The coordinated response forced the insurgents to abandon their positions and retreat to their hideouts after suffering heavy resistance from the troops.
Following the failed assault, the military initiated exploitation operations in the surrounding areas to track down fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping or launching fresh attacks. Troops are said to be combing nearby enclaves and suspected hideouts as part of ongoing clearance operations.
Bita, a strategic military location in Borno State, has in recent years witnessed repeated attempts by insurgent groups to attack security formations as part of their efforts to weaken military operations in the region.
The Nigerian military, through Operation Hadin Kai, has continued to intensify counterinsurgency operations across the North-East, targeting strongholds of terrorist groups and disrupting their logistics networks.
Security authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustaining pressure on insurgent elements operating within the region, assuring residents that troops remain vigilant and prepared to confront any threat to peace and security.
