Nigeria’s military said it killed four senior commanders of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a member of the group’s Shura Council, during an operation in the northeastern state of Borno.
The operation took place late on October 31 in Kukawa Local Government Area after ISWAP fighters attacked military positions, according to a statement issued Sunday by Captain Mohammed Goni, acting media information officer for Operation Hadin Kai.
Among those killed was Abu Hajara, identified by the military as a prominent member of ISWAP’s Shura Council, the body responsible for major strategic and operational decisions within the organisation.
Another commander, Abul Walid, described as a close associate of ISWAP leader Ba Shuwa, was also killed, the statement said.
The military said two other senior fighters, described as Arab nationals, were killed alongside several additional insurgents.
Nigerian forces, backed by air support, repelled the assault and recovered weapons, ammunition and communications equipment, according to the statement.
The latest operation followed another military engagement in Buni Yadi three days earlier, during which Nigerian troops reportedly killed 55 insurgents, including several commanders.
Military officials said the successive operations were aimed at dismantling ISWAP’s command structure and disrupting its ability to coordinate attacks across northeastern Nigeria.
ISWAP emerged from a split within Boko Haram in 2016 and has since established itself as a major armed group operating across the Lake Chad Basin, including parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The insurgency, which began in 2009, has killed thousands of people, forced millions from their homes and severely disrupted economic activity and humanitarian operations across northeastern Nigeria.
The military’s account of the latest casualties could not be independently verified.
