By Ollus Ndomu
As it escalates its counter-insurgency efforts, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of at least 60 terrorists in a coordinated ground and air operation in Bita, Borno State. The early Friday raid, conducted on May 30, forms part of Operation Hadin Kai’s intensified campaign to dismantle Boko Haram and other insurgent networks destabilizing northeastern Nigeria.
Military officials described the strike as “decisive and coordinated,” targeting known hideouts and strategic enclaves of the terrorist factions. Air support was provided by the Nigerian Air Force, complementing a land offensive by ground troops who stormed the area following intelligence reports of enemy concentration.
“This operation was not just retaliation, it was a clear message,” one senior military source said, noting that the terrorists killed included several mid-level commanders.
The offensive follows a spike in attacks by insurgents, including a recent deadly ambush in Izge, Gwoza Local Government Area, that claimed the life of a Nigerian Army captain and left several wounded. The army has vowed that such losses will not go unanswered.
Bita and its surrounding regions have remained volatile in recent months, with militants attempting to reclaim lost ground and harass rural communities. Residents have faced repeated threats, displacements, and attacks, prompting increased military presence in the region.
Reacting to the development, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edward Buba emphasized the army’s resolve. “This operation is part of a broader, sustained effort to deny terrorists any safe haven and restore lasting peace to affected communities,” he said.
The army has urged civilians in the northeast to cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious movements and avoiding areas under active military clearance.
While no civilian casualties were reported in Friday’s strike, the army said operations would continue to prevent regrouping by fleeing insurgents. “We are not leaving until every inch of this territory is secured,” a local commander declared.
The successful operation has drawn praise from security analysts, though they caution that lasting peace will require a parallel investment in development and civilian security infrastructure.
The Nigerian government, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to supporting the military while working with regional and international partners to stabilize the northeast and rehabilitate displaced populations.
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