Nigerian army announce killing of senior Iswap commanders
Wia dis foto come from, AFP via Getty Images
Nigeria military says e don kill member of Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) top leadership and several oda senior commanders during battle for Borno State.
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai stop wetin di military describe as major attack on dia positions for Kukawa, near Lake Chad, ova di weekend.
Although di claims neva dey independently verified.
Dis no be di first time army go announce di killing of senior ISWAP leaders.
For July 2026, Nigerian Army confam say dem kill Abu Salim al-Barnawi, one notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP raid commander.
According to di army na during one of di failed terrorist attack for military location di killing happun wia dem confam say Abu Salim die alongside oda members of di ISWAP mobile media team.
"Following di engagement, troops recova several arms, ammunition and communication devices," Army statement tok.
Di operations and report of deaths fit be significant setback for ISWAP, wey remain one of di most active jihadist groups wey dey operate for di Lake Chad Basin.
Howeva, di group don previously demonstrate ability to replace senior leaders and maintain operations afta battlefield losses.
Di latest military claim come as fighting still dey sup across north-east Nigeria.
For recent months, ISWAP fighters don step up attacks on military bases and remote communities for Borno and Yobe states, as dem go take positions, seize equipment and cause casualties on security forces.
Although di Nigerian military say e don sustain pressure on insurgent groups through ground and air operations, more dan 15 years afta insurgency begin, large parts of di Lake Chad region still dey insecure.
Armed groups kontinue to launch attacks on troops and civilians, particularly for remote areas around Lake Chad and di border regions wit Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Dis dey make independent verification of battlefield claims dey difficult.
Which ISWAP leader Nigerian army kill
For statement, military tok tok pesin Captain Mohammed Goni say dose wey dem kpai include Abu Hajara, wey di military identify as member of ISWAP Shura Council, di group senior decision-making body, and commander wey dey known as Abul Walid, also close associate of ISWAP leader Ba Shuwa.
Di military say two oda senior fighters also dey part of dose wey dem kill during di operation, while dem recova weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from di scene.
Di identities of dose wey di army say dem kill no be sometin wey we don independently confam.
Di operation come day afta anoda military offensive for Buni Yadi, for neighbouring Yobe State, wia di army say dem kill 55 militants, including several commanders.
