Military Kill Senior Militants in Major Operations Across Zamfara and Borno

By Zainab Uzomah

Nigerian troops have carried out two major operations against armed groups in the North-West and North-East, killing several fighters including senior militant commanders, the military has said.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 8 Division/Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma, troops stormed the stronghold of notorious bandit leader Gwaska Dan Karmi in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing a significant number of his fighters. Intelligence reports had indicated that more than 100 armed men had gathered at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and military supply routes. Ground forces, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, moved in on 31 January after days of surveillance, engaging the gunmen in a prolonged firefight. The Army said the troops overpowered the attackers, forcing many to flee with injuries, before setting the camp ablaze as air assets continued pursuit missions.

Separately, in the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a night assault that killed a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and 10 fighters in Borno State. According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, the operation targeted Abu Khalid — described as the second-in-command to the Boko Haram faction operating in the Sambisa Forest. He was identified as a key figure responsible for coordinating logistics and operations across the Sambisa axis.

The assault took place around 11 p.m. in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area, barely a day after troops killed another militant commander, Julaibib, in the Gujba axis. Soldiers from Sector 1, working with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force under Operation Desert Sanity, engaged the militants during a series of night offensives. Five rifles, magazines, bicycles, medical supplies and other logistics were recovered, with no casualties reported among the troops.

The military confirmed that several soldiers were killed during the Zamfara operation, and that a combat support vehicle was destroyed after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. It said the sacrifices of the fallen personnel would not be forgotten and vowed to maintain pressure on armed groups. Commanders applauded the performance of troops in both theatres, urging them to sustain the momentum as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other militant hideouts, as well as communities affected by banditry in the North-West.