Nigerian troops neutralize ISWAP commander, fighters in Borno
Nigerian Troops Disrupt ISWAP Attack in Borno State
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Nigerian military forces reported the capture of at least one militant affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a counter-offensive operation in Borno State. The operation resulted in the death of a senior commander, Abu Umar Bundi Munzir, along with 24 other insurgents.
Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, provided the update on Thursday, detailing the thwarting of a coordinated assault on the Kukareta community that began just after midnight.
According to Abubakar, troops from Sector 2 mounted a robust defense against the attackers, launching a sustained counter-offensive that continued until approximately 3:00 a.m. During the clash, Munzir was killed, leading to the eventual retreat of the remaining fighters.
The military confirmed that a total of 25 insurgents were neutralized during the engagement. Following the battle, troops conducted a reconnaissance of the area, recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition. This included 18 AK-47 rifles, three General Purpose Machine Guns, two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, and other weaponry.
Two troops were reported to have sustained gunshot wounds but are currently stabilized. An armored vehicle was also damaged during the firefight.
Abubakar noted that follow-up operations are ongoing to locate the bodies of fleeing insurgents and recover abandoned equipment, which were marked by blood stains and medical supplies. He described the outcome of the operation as a notable success in the broader counter-insurgency efforts in the region, reinforcing the commitment to curb terrorist activities in Northeast Nigeria.
