Terrorist commanders killed in military airstrikes – DHQ

No fewer than two top commanders of the Boko Haram sect were killed in the last two weeks, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the military said they were killed when the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) bombarded terrorists’ enclaves.

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He also disclosed that the troops eliminated more than 57 terrorists in different operations conducted between August 11 and August 25 in the North East.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, explained that the operations were conducted through land and air raids on the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclaves in Borno and Yobe.

The senior military officer listed one of the high-profile commanders that was killed as Uzaifa, who he said was the ‘MINZIR’, that connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure.

He added that eight suspected terrorists and four terrorists’ logistic suppliers were apprehended while four civilian victims were rescued.

Danmadamia further stated that a total of 1,652 Boko Haram terrorists and their families comprising of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children surrendered to troops at different location within the period.

“The air component on August 20, carried out strikes on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno with various degree of success recorded.

“Acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top-ranking commander. He is believed to be the ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership after the demise of Abubakar Shekau.

“Consequently, the air strikes were carried out on the enclave. Feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded. Among those neutralised was a high-profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure. Similar air strikes were conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists.

“Reports revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralised in the strikes. All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to relevant authorities while the surrendered Boko Haram terrorist members and their families were profiled for further action,’’ he said.