Nigerian military eliminates six ISWAP Commanders in Sambisa Forest

Six top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group, have been eliminated by Nigerian military airstrikes in the Tumbun and Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.

Spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, gave the names of the notorious ISWAP commanders as Amir Buba Danfulani, Musa Amir Jaish, Mahd Maluma, Abu-Ubaida, Abu-Hamza and Abu-Nura umarun Leni.

While giving a situation report on the progress of the war against insurgency in the North-East in the past one week on Sunday, Gabkwet said Amir Buba Danfulani was a senior ISWAP Commander saddled with indoctrinating Fulanis and herdsmen in joining the terrorist group.

“He also coordinated activities of the terrorists ranging from the deployment of spies as well as tax collectors,” he said.

“The well-coordinated airstrikes were conducted by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) under its Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI within the week at different locations

“The airstrikes involved Super Tucano jets, helicopters and other aircraft were deployed in the week-long operations that were carried out simultaneously at different locations.

READ ALSO: 104 ISWAP fighters, families surrender in Borno —Nigerian Army

“Prior to the execution of the special mission, intelligence identified terrorist training camps at Tumbun Kaiyowa and Tumbun Allura that are most active with ISWAP/Boko Haram activities.

The camps were also used by terrorists in firing projectiles against Nigerian Army locations in Mallam Fatori

“Consequently, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai deployed some aircraft that degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in order to prevent future attacks on troops and friendly location while ensuring the success of ongoing operations.

“The aircraft dropped several bombs on the targets at TUMBUN KAIYOWA and rockets and cannon at TUMBUN ALLURA. Apart from the eliminated commanders, fleeing surviving terrorists were also eliminated with fighter helicopters.

“Similar operation was conducted at Parisu and Njimia within Sambisa Forest, where three different aircraft types for specific purposes bombarded the targets.

“The elimination of these number of high-ranking terrorists will surely send a strong signal to the terrorists operating in the Northeast that the change in the fortunes of terrorist elements and their likes isn’t accidental.

“Rather this is attributed to the renewed vigour that the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have brought to bare in the counterinsurgency operation,” the statement said.

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