Nigerian Army kills several ISWAP commanders in Borno
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tribune Online and Punch
The Nigerian Army says it killed several ISWAP fighters, including commanders Abu Hajara and Abul Walid, on 31 October in Kukawa, Borno State. The operation, carried out after an attack on military positions with air support, also led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and communications equipment, according to Tribune Online and Punch.
The Nigerian Army says it killed several ISWAP fighters, including commanders Abu Hajara and Abul Walid, on 31 October in Kukawa, Borno State. The operation, carried out after an attack on military positions with air support, also led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and communications equipment, according to Tribune Online and Punch.
A statement from the Joint Task Force, North East, issued by its information officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled the assault with ground forces and air support. Abu Hajara was described as a senior member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, while Abul Walid was described as a commander close to Ba Shuwa, the group’s general wali. Two high-ranking Arab fighters and several other ISWAP members were also killed, according to Punch and Tribune Online.
The soldiers recovered a large number of weapons, ammunition and communications devices. The theatre command said the defence of Kukawa demonstrated the combat readiness, vigilance and firepower of HADIN KAI troops, according to Punch.
In Buni Yadi, three days earlier, the army had announced the deaths of 55 fighters. Punch said the victims included Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, alias Munzir, Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and commander Gogore. The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and continuing operations against armed groups and their camps in the north-east.
These clashes follow announcements of the deaths of 44 fighters in Borno State on 29 October and 34 others around Lake Chad on 31 October, according to Tribune Online. They are part of an intensification of Nigerian military operations in the Lake Chad basin, where ISWAP remains one of the main active armed groups, Punch reports.
