Nigerian Troops Kill Two Top Boko Haram Commanders, Several Fighters in Borno, Yobe Operations

Nigerian troops have killed two senior Boko Haram commanders and several of their fighters in a series of counter-insurgency operations across Borno and Yobe States, according to military sources. The commanders, identified as Abu Nazir (Munzir of Juye) and Abu Fatima (Munzir of Koloram), were eliminated along with 11 fighters during coordinated attacks on Bita and Wulgo in Borno. The operations, conducted between August 21 and 23 under Operation Hadin Kai, involved ground forces supported by precision air strikes that also destroyed weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles belonging to the insurgents.

Troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, backed by the Air Component, repelled a night assault on the Forward Operating Base at Kumshe on August 22. Military sources said the air strikes inflicted heavy casualties, with more than 20 bodies later discovered in shallow graves. Sector 1 troops also engaged insurgents at Dipchari near Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area, neutralising several fighters and seizing rocket-propelled grenade tubes, rifles, magazines, ammunition, and motorcycles.

In Yobe, Sector 2 troops, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out a long-range raid in Ndoksa near Buni Gari on August 23. The operation led to further losses for the insurgents and the recovery of additional weapons and motorcycles.

Military authorities described the operations as a decisive blow against Boko Haram, saying the loss of key field commanders has weakened the group’s leadership structure. They added that the sustained tempo of operations has limited the terrorists’ freedom of movement, degraded their firepower, and disrupted their logistics. The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience and urged them to maintain momentum in tackling evolving security threats.