DHQ: Troops Eliminate Boko Haram Imam, Other Top Commanders

Nigerian Army troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole have killed a top Boko Haram Commander named Sayinna and several other fighters during an encounter with the terrorists.

The troops also reportedly killed an Imam and Mansur to Abu Fatima; a Boko Haram top commander who, according to the Nigeria military, hibernated in Sambisa forest.

This was contained in a statement by Maj. Gen. John Enenche, Defence Media Coordinator issued on Sunday.

Enenche said the operations which occurred on the 17th of July followed credible intelligence on the terrorists’s market activities and undercover movement around Kolofata, a border town with Cameroon.

He said it was as a result of that, that the troops of Strong Response Area (SRA) Pulka neutralized 6 Boko Haram terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis.

“Weapons and equipment captured from the terrorists include 3 AK 47 rifles, Magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda Salon Car, one Motorcycle, 8 Bicycles, 3 Phones with multiple Sims and Memory Cards and 5 copies of the Holy Qur’an, among others,” he noted.

“Additionally, there was also a letter written in Hausa to Abu Fatima (Boko Haram top commander),documents and other logistics.”

The defence spokesperson said it was shortly after the successful operation that the enemy communication intercept confirmed the killing of the top Boko Haram Commander named Sayinna and other fighters during the encounter.

He added that the other slayed terrorists were suspected to be Imam and Mansur to Abu Fatima who hibernated in Sambisa forest.

He noted that the troops have in recent times been delving serious blows to BHT/ISWAP terrorists in the North East, while recalling how they killed eight prominent leaders of the “disorganized, marauding elements of the terrorists in their futile attempt to infiltrate Army Super Camp Damasak”.

According to Enenche, the terrorists met their waterloo on 2 July, 2020 when they were led by their top leaders to attack the troops in Damasak from 2 flanks in an effort to cause them massive casualty.

However, “with own troops’ doggedness, superior fire power and maneuver” the terrorists were devastated and others escaped.

“The Military successes of Operation LAFIYA DOLE particularly since the turn of the year 2020, has continually caused confusion and disharmony in the camps of the insurgents,” he further noted.

“This is evident by the frequent changes in ISWAP leadership within a short period and these was largely due to the several losses inflicted on them by own troops in both men, weapons and equipment.

“Amongst the top BHT/ISWAP leaders killed during the encounter at Damasak and buried by the terrorists at Goski village in the early hours of 3 Jul 20 were: Tumbun Dabino – Ba Issoufou. Tumbun Bororo – Amir Batam. Tumbun Jaki – Almustapha. Tumbun Bagaruwa – Modou Kollo. Dogon Tchoukou – Issah. Tumbun Rakke – Mustapha Woulama. Tumbun Dila – Boukar Kowa. Tumbun Mita – Abou Aisha.”

“The series of successes so far recorded has led to several of the insurgents surrendering in their numbers. They voluntarily admitted that the insurgency is driven more by need for money, power, greed and criminality and less of any ideology.”