The operation came less than 24 hours after troops killed another notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, who was operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
Troops of the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Army operating in the North East region under the Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have reportedly killed a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Abu Khalid, along with 10 other terrorists during a night operation in Borno State.
The military in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, identified Khalid as the second-in-command of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest and a key figure responsible for coordinating terrorist operations and logistics within the axis.
Uba stated that the military operation, conducted at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area, was carried out by troops of Sector 1 in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) under Operation DESERT SANITY.
“Abu Khalid was a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis,” Uba stated.
The operation came less than 24 hours after troops killed another notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, who was operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
According to Uba, the terrorists were engaged during night offensives, leading to the killing of Abu Khalid and 10 others.
“Following the engagement, troops recovered five (5) AK-47 rifles, magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as huge medical consumables,” Uba stated.
Uba said, “No casualty was recorded among our own troops during the operation,” adding, “Troops’ morale remains high as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East region.”
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised and lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the region.
The Military High Command also commended the troops for their dedication and sacrifices in the ongoing fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the North East, urging them to maintain the operational momentum.