Special Forces under Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised a key Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Amir Abu Fatima, in a precision military operation in Kukawa, Northern Borno State.
The operation, conducted on May 30, followed credible intelligence on the location of the terrorist leader, who was on the military’s most-wanted list with a ₦100 million bounty on his head.
In a statement on Saturday, security sources said Abu Fatima was fatally wounded during an intense gun battle with troops. His deputy, several Improvised Explosive Device (IED) specialists, and multiple fighters were also eliminated.
“The strike was executed with precision, resulting in the elimination of Abu Fatima and his lieutenants without any casualty on own troops,” the source said.
Items recovered at the scene included AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, assorted military-grade explosives, and IED-making materials. The operation is described as a major tactical success in the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North East.
Military authorities say the elimination of Abu Fatima marks a significant blow to the leadership structure of Boko Haram/ISWAP and is expected to weaken coordination among the group’s remnants in the Lake Chad axis.
“This achievement further demonstrates the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace to the region,” the statement added.
