Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Nigerian Army reports that troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have killed the Second-In-Command of the Boko Haram/ISWAP leader, Abu Khalid in Borno State midnight raid.
Also killed in the well coordinated night offensive and fierce gun battle were 10 terrorists.
The force said Abu Khalid, identified as the Second-in-Command of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest, was killed during a fierce encounter with troops in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area.
The operation came barely 24 hours after troops eliminated another notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, who operated within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
Military sources revealed that troops of Sector 1 OPHK, working in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) under Operation DESERT SANITY, made contact with the terrorists following credible intelligence on their activities.
Abu Khalid was said to be a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, responsible for coordinating operations and logistics for insurgents in the Sambisa axis.
Following the successful engagement, troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, several magazines, bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as large quantities of medical consumables abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
The military confirmed that no casualty was recorded among own troops during the operation.
According to a statement from OPHK headquarters, the morale of troops remains high as aggressive clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other identified terrorist hideouts in the North East.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the momentum of operations until all terrorist elements are completely killed and lasting peace and economic stability are fully restored to the region.
The Military High Command lauded the gallantry, sacrifices and dedication of the troops, urging them to maintain the tempo in the ongoing fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality in the North East.
