By Abubakar Muhammad (9NEWS NIGERIA, NORTHEAST)
A famous Boko-Haram Commander, Abu Fatima has been neutralized by the troops of Operation Hadin-Kai during a latest raid on Friday, in Kukuwa local government area of Borno State.
He was eliminated alongside his deputies, recognized as Abu Maryam and Abu Modu, after a joint land and air battle between the terrorists and Nigerian troops.
Abu Fatima belongs to Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP), a Boko-Haram factional group, who operates mostly in the northern parts of Borno and the Lake Chad region.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, Reuben Kovangiya, the operation was led by Special Forces Battalion, following credible intelligence on the activities of the terrorists’ kingpin at Alayaru village, around the Alagarno general area.
He explained that during the operation, the troops launched a fierce air and land assault on the terrorists exchanging high volume of fire that overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to flee in disarray.
“The Air Component platforms scrambled overhead troops to provide support, while intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance was also provided by the MNJTF air assets.
“Consequently, the determined troops pursued the terrorists, neutralising 3 including the wanted commander Amir Abu Fatima, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“Additionally, his deputies Abu Maryam and Abu Modu, the terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Device expert, were revealed to be among the killed in action by troops at Alayaru,” Kovangiya said.
Also, a motorcycles, AK-47 Rifles with magazines, hand Grenade, assorted ammunition, a radio, phones motorcycle spare tyre, primed IED in 4 litre kegs, pressure plate, batteries, RCIED Switch, Sappers Cable, detonating cord and other IED making materials were recovered from the terrorists at the end of the raid.
Weapons and other materials recovered from the terrorists
The joint intelligence led operation, Operation Hadin-Kai said, signifies the dynamic posture adopted by troops of command, in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to counter the terrorists’ tactics, techniques and procedures.
Similarly, the military is urging the general public to continue providing troops with credible information, that would assist them in containing the security threats.
