Top ISWAP Commanders, Scores Of Fighters Killed In Military Air Strikes In Borno

The Defence Headquarters has revealed that some top commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and several of its fighters operating in the Island settlements of the Lake Chad in the northern part of Borno State have been eliminated in an air strike by the Nigerian Military Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

Prominent terrorists’ leaders, including Abu Imraana, ISWAP Naval Commander, as well as Mallam Ibrahim and Mallam Abba, are believed to be among the many ISWAP casualties recorded in the air strikes.

In a statement on Tuesday, John Enenche, Defence Spokesperson, disclosed on Tuesday that the operation occurred on Monday, “in massive simultaneous air strikes executed under the subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM at Kirta Wulgo and Sabon Tumbun, 2 settlements on the fringes of the Lake, where several key ISWAP leaders and scores of their fighters were killed”.

According to Enenche, “the missions were conducted on the heels of credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that some ISWAP leaders and fighters had relocated to Sabon Tumbun due to the impact of the recent air strikes at the nearby Island settlement of Tumbuma Baba.

“Similarly, up to 15 high ranking ISWAP Commanders along with scores of their fighters were harboured at Kirta Wulgo, which serves as Administrative Headquarters and training camp for ISWAP.

“Accordingly, the Air Task Force dispatched an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the 2 locations scoring devastating hits leading to the elimination of several of the terrorists.

“Prominent terrorists’ leaders, including Abu Imraana, ISWAP Naval Commander, as well as Mallam Ibrahim and Mallam Abba, are believed to be among the many ISWAP casualties.”