Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), with support from the Air Component, have neutralised a top Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Malam Jidda, during a coordinated operation in Ngazalgana, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK, Lt.-Col. Reuben Kovangiya, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Maiduguri.
Kovangiya said the terrorist leader, identified as the Ameer of Ngorgore and Malumti villages, was killed alongside several other terrorists during the joint ground and aerial offensive launched by troops on June 9.
According to him, troops encountered the terrorists in Ngazalgana and overpowered them with superior firepower, resulting in the death of Jidda while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“In a related development, continued exploitation operations in Mallamfatori general area, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, have led to the discovery of more terrorists’ corpses and the recovery of assorted arms and equipment,” the statement added.
Items recovered include AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, hand grenades, large quantities of ammunition, AK-47 magazines, motorcycles, handheld radios, and other logistics equipment.
Kovangiya noted that the renewed offensives demonstrated the sustained momentum of OPHK’s counter-insurgency efforts, particularly the synergy between ground troops and air support.
He reiterated the military’s commitment to completely defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and restore peace and security in the North-East.
