Abuja: The Nigerian military has successfully eliminated five top terrorist commanders and three of their deputies through a series of counter-terrorism operations in the North-East region during January. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, shared this development in Abuja while briefing journalists on the progress of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Onoja explained that the coordinated efforts of the troops, along with the Air Component, hybrid forces, and local security groups, have significantly restricted the operational freedom of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists in the region. From January 1 to January 29, the troops conducted aggressive ground and air missions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, resulting in the neutralization of numerous terrorists, the arrest of 74 suspects, and the rescue of 40 kidnapped individuals.
During this period, 44 terrorists and their families surrendered due to the military’s continued pressure, which has effectively weakened terrorist networks and disrupted their logistical support. “Notably, five top terrorist commanders and three of their lieutenants were neutralised during intense firefights in the theatre,” Maj.-Gen. Onoja reported.
Significant clearance and interdiction operations were carried out in various locations, including Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira-Uba, and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Michika in Adamawa and Damaturu in Yobe. The operations led to the death of two notorious terrorist commanders, Basulhu and Ubaida, during a confrontation at the Mandara Mountains on January 22, where weapons and ammunition caches were seized.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja further detailed that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with Nigerian Army Aviation, executed multiple air interdiction missions targeting a newly identified terrorist hideout in the Northern Tumbuns, known to be a sanctuary for senior ISWAP commanders. These operations resulted in the neutralization of dozens of terrorists and forced the remaining fighters to retreat with severe injuries.
The sustained military efforts have not only degraded the terrorists’ capabilities but also facilitated the safe resettlement of displaced persons in parts of the North-East, marking significant progress in the fight against terrorism in the region.