Nigerian state has killed seven senior positions of ISWAP terrorist organization

O Nigerian army killed seven senior positions of the Islamic State group in West Africa Province, the Nigerian Armed Forces reported, classifying the action in the northeast of the country as a “significant coup” against these terrorists.

During fighting on October 31 in the locality of Kukawa, in the state of Borno, soldiers eliminated Abul Walid, a “prominent commander” who was also a “near collaborator” of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic State in the Province of West Africa (ISWAP), Ba Shuwa, according to an Army statement released today by local media.

In the clashes, the forces of Operation Hadin Kai – which fights extremism in the north-east of the country – also killed Abu Hajara, a “distinguished element” of the Shura Council (the main advisory, administrative and supervisory body of ISWAP), as well as “two high-level Arab fighters” whose identity has not been revealed.

“ After the fight, the troops seized a large amount of weapons, ammunition and communication devices. This successful operation highlights the readiness for combat, surveillance and fire superiority of Operation Hadin Kai troops,” the Armed Forces said.

The attack occurred three days after an operation in the locality of Buni Yadi, in the state of Yobe (northeast), which borders Borno.

In this action, the Nigerian Army killed 55 terrorists, including “key commanders” such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (known as Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Gogore.

The terrorist group Boko Haram, active since 2009, and its dissent – ISWAP (emerged in 2016), carry out attacks in northeastern Nigeria.

Both terrorist groups killed more than 35,000 people and caused the displacement of some 2.7 million individuals, especially within the country, but also in neighbouring nations such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger, according to government and UN data.

Boko Haram and ISWAP intend to impose a state of Islamic orientation in Nigeria, a country of Muslim majority in the north and mostly Christian in the south.