The coordinated operation reportedly led to the elimination of dozens of insurgents and the destruction of their logistics bases.

No fewer than 60 terrorists have been neutralised in Borno State following an offensive launched by the Nigerian Army, a military statement said on Friday.

According to the statement, troops of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist hideouts in Bita, a known insurgent stronghold in the southern part of Borno State.

The coordinated operation reportedly led to the elimination of dozens of insurgents and the destruction of their logistics bases.

Bita, located in the southern part of Borno, has been a hotspot for terrorist activities in recent years.

The statement read, "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 intense battle resulted in the neutralisation of at least 60 terrorists."

On Thursday, SaharaReporters 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.

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.

“They planted IED and CJTF who went to recovered one of their deceased body on their way back to their camp stepped on the IED and nine of the CJTF died X few civilians who were captured in the community by BHTS were gruesomely slaughtered,” the situation report said.

The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP/Boko Haram factions in the region and the significant sacrifices made by CJTF members in the fight against terrorism.