The military has neutralised a top commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province and several other terrorists in sustained operations across the North-East.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Sani Uba.
According to the statement, troops of the Joint Task Force North East, under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), confirmed through intelligence that a top ISWAP commander identified as Julaibib was killed during an encounter around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on January 30.
The military said the killing of the terrorist leader disrupted ISWAP’s command and control structure in the area, adding that several fighters were also neutralised during the operation.
In a related operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, killed three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.
The statement said the operation followed credible intelligence on insurgent movement, adding that two AK-47 rifles were recovered while other terrorists fled with gunshot wounds.
It further stated that on January 29, troops deployed in an ambush position at Tsokorok in Gwoza Local Government Area engaged Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, killing one insurgent and recovering two motorcycles, with no casualty recorded on the side of the troops.
The military also recorded successes in Adamawa State, where troops responded to a distress call from Barama community in Mubi North Local Government Area, foiling an armed robbery attempt.
According to the statement, two suspects attempting to rob a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested, while items recovered included cutlasses, laptops, mobile phones and a power bank.
The statement added that troops, in collaboration with local vigilantes, conducted a fighting patrol along the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong Local Government Area, where they engaged terrorists, rescued an abducted woman and recovered arms and ammunition.
The military said the general security situation across the theatre remained stable, adding that troops of Operation Hadin Kai remained committed to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace in the region.
