Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, a military offensive in the Northeast, have killed the Second-in-Command of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abu Khalid, in the Sambisa forest in Borno State.
The news came barely 24 hours after a top ISWAP commander, known as Julaibib, was neutralised by the troops during a fierce battle around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of the state.
A military source told The Nation yesterday that Khalid was killed alongside 10 others during the Saturday night operation.
According to the source, Khalid was a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis.
He said the troops engaged the terrorists in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area at about 11 p.m. on Saturday, resulting in the killing of the terrorist leader and his foot soldiers.
The source said troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, and a large cache of medical supplies.
“No casualty was recorded among troops during the operation. Troops’ morale remains high as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East region,” the source said.
READ ALSO: The men who ruined a republic
While reaffirming the troops’ commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised and lasting peace restored in the region, the source said the military high command had “commended the troops for their sacrifices and dedication in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the Northeast and urged them to sustain the tempo.”
In the Northwest, scores of terrorists were also killed and others injured by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma during a gun battle in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The operation, according to Osoba, followed credible intelligence that more than 100 bandits had assembled at the camp to plan large-scale attacks on nearby communities and military supply lines.
He explained that ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force intercepted the bandits on January 31.
Osoba said: “A fierce firefight ensued as the terrorists attempted a flanking and encircle manoeuver. However, they were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops.
“While many bandits were eliminated, others fled with gunshot wounds. The camp was set ablaze before the troops withdrew.”
The spokesperson confirmed that some soldiers lost their lives during the encounter. He added that a combat support vehicle caught fire after it was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade.
Osoba said the “ Nigerian Army honours the fallen soldiers’ sacrifice and remains determined in its mission, combat efficiency remains high as troops continue to dismantle bandit networks and disrupt their supply chains across the region.”
He added that the Nigerian Air Force is currently conducting interdiction missions to intercept the fleeing remnants, while ground troops maintain dominance over the area.
