Nigerian Army troops known as Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly killed 14 fighters including Abu Hassan, a Commander (Munzir) of the Boko Haram terrorist group in an encounter in Mafa area of Borno State.
According to reports, Abu Hassan, a Commander, and 13 other insurgents were eliminated on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
One of the terrorists who was communicating with a Commander in the camp of Abu Iklima, was heard saying that the infidels (referring to the security agents) have killed 13 of their fighters including Abu Hassan.
“Someone fired at us while we are withdrawing from the battlefield in Ngowom village. We are on our way with the corpses. We are coming to Gaizuwa.
“Abu Hassan has slept (dead). Some of our fighters were also wounded. We may need emergency medical interventions. Please be on standby,” Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency expert quotes the outlaw as saying.
Since 2009, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been grappling with attacks in the northeast by Boko Haram.
This comes barely three months after several terrorists were reportedly killed including the leader of Islamic States of West African Province(ISWAP), Ba Yuram by the Nigerian army troops in Borno state.
ISWAP Leader Fiya Ba Yuram, who was feared killed in the attack took over the leadership of the group after the death of Abubakar Shekau in 2021.
It was gathered that the operation took place following credible intelligence of the location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of the notorious terrorist.
According to a military source; “The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies have continued to synergize and pull their resources together towards ensuring that terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements are completely eliminated for the sake of peace and security of the nation,”
The source who hinted that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft have remained a critical factor in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies, said efforts are ongoing in the various theatres of operation across the country to wipe out terrorists and other criminals terrorizing the peace of the country.
The source said NAF aircraft under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out some strikes on terrorist enclave in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with varying degrees of success recorded.
“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, NAF aircraft were directed to an active location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of notorious terrorist, Fiya Ba Yuram. Fiya Ba Yuram is the current ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership following the demise of Abubakar Shekau. Please note that the title’Fiya’ connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure. Note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to ISWAP.
“On arrival, the location was observed to be active with terrorists seen gathering. Air strikes were then authorized and carried out on the location. An assessment of the location after the strikes revealed it to be successful, though it remained unconfirmed if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists neutralized in the strikes.
“Similar air strikes were also undertaken in the Tunbuns near Lake Chad after suspected terrorists’ activities were observed in the area believed to be a training camp. The targets were subsequently acquired and engulfed in flames all after. The aftermath of the airstrike revealed that pandemonium broke out as the remnant of surviving terrorists took cover under nearby trees which were later struck by the aircraft.
“Even though it remained uncertain and unclear if Fiya Ba Yuram was among the terrorists neutralized in the weekend strikes, the efforts of the military must be commended. The ability of the AFN and other security agencies to pick out key terrorist targets for elimination, alongside their foot soldiers is also indicative of the credibility of the intelligence provided.
The need, therefore, for all Nigerians to rally around and support the AFN and other security agencies remains a key motivator towards reducing, to the barest minimum, the threats posed by the activities of terrorists and insurgents,” the source said.
Confirming the attack, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said “Yes strikes were carried out on some specific targets in the Tunbuns and Sambisa with varying degrees of success recorded. He said, “The NAF won’t however be drawn into the details of those neutralized.”
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