Nigerian military forces have successfully neutralized a high-profile Boko Haram commander, Abu Fatima, along with two of his deputies during a precision operation in Borno State.
The operation, carried out by the air component troops of Operation Hadin Kai with support from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), took place in Alayaru village in the Alagarno area of Kukawa Local Government Area.
Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday night.
According to the statement, the operation was based on credible intelligence regarding the activities of the terrorist kingpin. The Special Forces Battalion pursued the terrorists, resulting in the elimination of three key figures, including the wanted commander Amir Abu Fatima.
"Consequently, the determined troops pursued the terrorists, neutralising three, including the wanted commander Amir Abu Fatima, while others fled with gunshot wounds," the statement read.
The military also confirmed that Abu Fatima's deputies, Abu Maryam and Abu Modu, who was identified as the terrorists' Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert, were among those killed during the operation.
Significant Weapons Recovery
The successful operation led to the recovery of several weapons and equipment, including motorcycles, AK-47 rifles with magazines, hand grenades, and assorted ammunition.
Other items recovered include a radio, phones, a motorcycle spare tyre, and various IED-making materials such as primed IEDs in 4-litre kegs, pressure plates, batteries, RCIED switches, sappers' cables, and detonating cords.
The military operation featured coordinated air support, with air component platforms providing overhead coverage for ground troops. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance were also provided by MNJTF air assets, highlighting the collaborative nature of the counter-terrorism efforts.
The Nigerian Army has urged members of the public to continue providing troops with credible information that would assist in containing security threats in the North East Theatre of Operations.
This operation marks another significant blow to terrorist activities in Nigeria's northeast region, where security forces continue to battle insurgency that has plagued the area for over a decade.
