Nigerian army kills 16 ISWAP fighters near Lake Chad
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
The Nigerian army says it killed 16 suspected Islamic State in West Africa fighters in air strikes and artillery fire targeting three sites in the Tunbunma area, south of Lake Chad. The operation, conducted on 26 October between 1am and 2am, also seriously injured eight people, according to a statement by Operation Hadin Kai.
The Nigerian army killed 16 suspected Islamic State in West Africa, or ISWAP, fighters in air strikes and artillery fire against three suspected group positions in the Tunbunma area, south of Lake Chad. The operation was carried out between 1am and 2am on Monday 26 October, Captain Mohammed Goni, acting spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, said, according to Punch.
The military identified Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, as well as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq among those killed. Abu Saleem, described as the wali of Tunbunma, and seven other fighters were seriously injured, according to the army’s damage assessment.
The operation was based on intelligence indicating the presence of ISWAP leaders and fighters at the three targeted sites. The Nigerian army says it aims to dismantle networks operating in the Lake Chad Basin and has called on the public to pass any credible information to the security services.
The strike came after the death of 15 terrorists in Pulka, announced on 24 October, followed by the killing of six fighters and the arrest of 11 suspects in Borno on 25 October.
