MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigerian troops killed more than 50 militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province, including five senior commanders, while repelling a series of coordinated attacks in the country’s northeast, military sources said Thursday. The successful counteroffensive was described as the insurgent group’s biggest single-day defeat this year.
The fierce battles erupted in the early morning hours across multiple locations in Borno and Yobe states as insurgents attempted to simultaneously overrun military positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko.
Troops from the military’s Operation Hadin Kai engaged the fighters in intense firefights, ultimately neutralizing the threat and inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
“This is a massive win for our troops and a devastating blow to the terrorists,” said a senior military source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. “To lose five field commanders in one morning has seriously degraded their operational leadership.”
The military identified the slain commanders as Ari Kolo, also known as Munzir Abbagajiri; Ya Muhammad, a prominent figure from the Dosula area; Abu Aisha of Abba Gajiri; Hamzalah, who led fighters in Gambo Gege and Faruk Village; and Abu Rijal, also from Dosula.
“The coordinated nature of the attack shows it was a major offensive, but they met with superior firepower and strategy,” the source added. “This victory is a testament to the courage and preparedness of our soldiers in the field.”
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been waging a violent insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade. The group, an offshoot of Boko Haram, frequently targets both military and civilian positions. Thursday’s failed offensive marks a significant setback for the organization, which has sought to carve out an Islamic caliphate in the region.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
