‎By Hosea Parah

‎

‎Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a member of the group’s Shura Council, Abu Hajara, during an encounter in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

‎

‎The military also identified a prominent ISWAP commander, Abul Walid, and a close associate of the group’s overall Wali, Ba Shuwa, among those killed.

‎

‎In a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesman for the operation, Mohammed Goni, said the incident occurred on Saturday.

‎

‎He stated, “Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations. Troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component.”

‎

‎He stated that troops recovered arms, ammunition and communication devices.

‎

‎“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely three days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised, including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore,” Goni said.

‎

‎Following the clash, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

‎

‎The Kukawa incident came barely three days after a separate engagement in Buni Yadi, where the military reported neutralising 55 terrorists.

‎

‎Those killed in the earlier operation included key commanders identified as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (also known as Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.

‎

‎The Theatre Command said the successful defence demonstrated the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops.

‎

‎It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and sustaining operations aimed at the total annihilation of terrorists and the destruction of their camps in the region.

‎

‎The killing of senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders in Kukawa, Borno State, comes amid an intensified military campaign against insurgent groups operating in Nigeria’s North East, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin.

‎

‎The development is significant because ISWAP has remained one of the major security threats in the region, despite years of military offensives, the killing of its commanders and the disruption of its operational networks