With air support, Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised the Commander of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Malam Jidda, and scores of his fighters in a coordinated ground and air operation in Yobe and Borno States
The significant victory comes after a coordinated air and ground operation conducted in the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State.
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According to a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations of Headquarters Theatre Command for Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, said that the operation was launched on Monday in the Ngazalgana area of Gujba L0cal Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State, benefiting from close air support provided by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
Malam Jidda, who was identified as the Ameer of Ngorgore and Malumti villages, met his end during a fierce engagement with troops, who overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower.
The Army spokesman noted that, while some terrorists managed to escape with gunshot wounds, others were neutralised during a follow-up encounter in the Timbuktu Triangle, where troops conducted a snap ambush operation.
Kovangiya also said that, during the continued exploitation in the Mallamfatori general area of Abadam LGA, where recent offensives had occurred, troops discovered additional bodies of neutralised terrorists and recovered a significant array of arms and equipment.
Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, rocket-propelled gun tubes, magazines, large quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, hand-held radios, and other logistical items.
He highlighted that this renewed offensive underscores the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai‘s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, which are strongly supported by precise and timely air strikes.
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He reaffirmed the Theatre Command’s unwavering commitment to completely defeating Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, and to the full restoration of peace and security in Nigeria’s North-East region.
