TheCable

At least 55 fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have been reportedly killed by troops of the Multi-National Joint Task (MNJTF) in Borno, northeast Nigeria. 

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the fighters — including many of their commanders — were killed during an “aggressive operation” tagged ‘Harbin Zuma’ which began on May 6–May 28. 

The publication said the main aim of the troops during the 22-day operation was to destroy ISWAP’s strongholds in the Tumbuns.

Tumbuns (or Tunbuns) is the colonial transboundary line drawn through the patches of islands between Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger.

The publication said ISWAP’s top commanders like  Fiya Abouzeid, Qaïd Abou Oumama and Qaïd Malam Moustapha, as well as several religious leaders whose identities remain unknown, were decimated. 

Coordination between air and land forces of Niger Republic and Nigeria, was said to have made the troops score significant victories against the terrorists.

The troops also destroyed 13 vehicles and 13 motorcycles, while 5 other vehicle-borne improvised explosive Devices (VBIED) were reportedly trailed, trapped and destroyed.

However, the Nigérienne Sector 4 MNJTF lost 2 of its soldiers, while 3 were left injured.