Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in collaboration with Civilian JTF have neutralized the commander of Boko Haram and 31 other terrorists in Konduga Local Council of Borno state.
Abu Iliya, the Commander, was killed over the weekend (Saturday) when the troops raided the terrorists’ hideouts in the Kayamari-Habasha-Yuwe axis of Sambisa Forest.
A counter-insurgency expert, in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed, yesterday (Sunday), in Maiduguri that the troops achieved the feats during an intelligence-led aggressive fighting patrols of the hideout camps in the three villages.
“The troops made contacts with the terrorists in the course of the counter offensive patrol in Yuwe village,” he said, adding that this led to a heavy gun battle with the terrorists.
A military source, in Maiduguri also said that the troops successfully defeated the insurgents, while other fled in disarray due to their superior fire power.
The source, added that the fierce battle that last for over an hour led to the abandonment of terrorists’ weapons and other property in the villages.
According to Makama, the troops also destroyed 50 bicycles recovered from the terrorists’ hideouts.
Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, the newly appointed Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), vowed to sustained troops’ efforts to end the fight against the insurgents.
He said that all hands must be on deck to end terrorism that has claimed many lives and property in the region.