Two senior Boko Haram commanders and eleven of their fighters have been killed in a recent counteroffensive by troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai in Bitta and Wulgo communities, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the slain commanders were identified as Abu Nazir (Munzir of Juye) and Abu Fatima (Munzir of Koloram). They reportedly led failed attacks on the two communities between Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22, before troops, supported by the air component of the theatre command, neutralized 13 terrorists during the fierce gun battles.
Confirming the incident, the Theatre Commander, Northeast Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsallam Abubakar revealed that Boko Haram fighters attempted to infiltrate the communities at midnight but were immediately repelled by Nigerian forces after hours of intense fighting.
Mediaplusng.com reports that troops also recovered six motorcycles, several AK-47 rifles, and a cache of ammunition from the terrorists. Abubakar added that some of the insurgents fled with gunshot wounds during the operation.
Bitta and Wulgo are among seven resettled wards in Gwoza LGA. The communities were previously overrun when Boko Haram briefly declared Gwoza a caliphate in 2014. However, Nigerian troops reclaimed the areas, and the Borno State Government has since resettled displaced residents despite occasional attacks from insurgents.
Security experts note that the proximity of the Mandara Mountains and the Cameroonian border, where terrorists often seek refuge, continues to pose a threat to peace and stability in the region.
READ ALSO: IGP Commends Security Agencies for Peaceful Zamfara Supplementary Election
