Troops kill ISWAP commander, 41 other fighters in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) Commander, Abu Zahra, in Dikwa-Ngala axis of Borno State.

The coordinated operations, led by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1, Maj.-Gen. Shaibu Waidi, eliminated the Commander and other terrorists in a silent intelligence-led midnight offensive at Mukdolo hideout.

A counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed yesterday in Maiduguri that in a deadly special operation, the commander was eliminated by the ground troops.

Makama said that the coordinated raid followed recent attacks carried out by the Islamist sect that led to the killing of 36 fishermen in Mukdolo Village in Ngala Local Council.

Meanwhile, the commander was reported to have earlier executed his deputy in the presence of other fighters in Kajeri Dogumba village in the Mafa Local Council of Borno State.

Counter-insurgency expert, Makama Zagazola, disclosed that Muhammed accused Darda of leading the failed attack, which led to their loss, and seizure of their gun trucks by the military.

According to the military source, the commander said he was particularly pained because the military killed scores of his fighters, burnt his foodstuff and some newly-acquired furniture meant for his wedding soon.

The source said the commander had, however, vowed to mobilise his fighters at Kajeri Dogumba and Bula Yagana Aliye in Mafa Local Council of the state.

“The armed terrorists, headed by Abu Darda and Abu Muhammed, also stormed Mafa town on March 19, 2023.

“But the attack was thwarted by the troops, resulting in the killing of scores of the terrorists and recovery of two of gun trucks.

“Consequently, upon the major offensive, military equipment, including a gun, three motorcycles and several other weapons were recovered from the terrorists’ hideouts,” the source stated.