BY Femi Owolabi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says its troops have killed a “notorious terrorist” believed to be the leader of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Sambisa forest.
The leader was said to have taken over after the demise of Abubakar Shekau, former leader of Boko Haram.
Shekau was reportedly killed after a fight with the leadership of ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.
Musa Danmadami, director of defence media operations, in a statement on Tuesday, said the ISWAP commander and others were killed in an air raid on August 20.
“The air component of Operation HADIN KAI on 20 August 2022 carried out strikes on terrorists enclaves in Sambisa forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with various degree of success recorded,” the statement reads.
“Acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top ranking commander, believed to be the Islamic State of West Africa Province leader of Sambisa forest who took over the leadership after the demise of Abubakar Shekau.
“Consequently, the air strikes was carried out on the enclave. Feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded. Among those neutralize was a high profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure.”
Danmadami said similar air strikes were also conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists.
He said report gathered revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralised in the strikes.
He also said a total of 1,652 Boko Haram members and their families have surrendered to own troops at different locations.
According to him, the number comprises of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children.
He said all recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authorities, while the surrendered Boko Haram members and their families were profiled for further action.
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