The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Reuben Kovangiya, on Tuesday said troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed a notorious Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Malam Jidda.
Kovangiya said several of Jidda’s foot soldiers were also killed during a coordinated ground and air operation in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno.
Kovangiya said the operation began on June 9 in the Ngazalgana area of Gujba LGA and was carried out with close air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
“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 Kovangiya said.
According to the statement, some terrorists managed to flee with gunshot wounds.
However, Kovangiya said many others were killed during a follow-up operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, a region known for insurgent activities.
“In the course of continued exploitation in the Mallamfatori general area of Abadam LGA, where recent offensives had been recorded, troops discovered more bodies of neutralised terrorists and recovered an array of arms and equipment,” it added.
The recovered items include AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, rocket-propelled gun tubes, magazines, a large quantity of ammunition, hand grenades, hand-held radios, and various logistical materials.
He reaffirmed the Theatre Command’s resolve to completely defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, stating its ongoing commitment to the restoration of peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East region.
