The Nigerian military recorded a major success in its ongoing counter-insurgency efforts as troops of Operation Hadin Kai Joint Task Force eliminated Abu Fatima, a top ISWAP commander, in Borno State.
The operation, which was carried out in Aleru Village, located in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, also resulted in the elimination of two of Abu Fatima’s close lieutenants.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the operation through an official statement posted on its verified Facebook page on Friday. According to the statement, the terrorist leader was initially captured alive during a fierce gun battle but later succumbed to excessive bleeding sustained during the confrontation.
Security sources disclosed that Abu Fatima had long been on the Nigerian military’s most-wanted list due to his high-profile involvement in orchestrating numerous deadly attacks in the northern part of Borno State, particularly around the Baga axis.
His name was associated with terror activities that plagued communities such as Baga, Kukawa, Cross Kau, and Doro. The military had earlier placed a bounty of ₦100 million on him, underlining the level of threat he posed to regional security.
The successful operation also led to the recovery of various combat materials from the terrorists. Items seized included AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, and bomb-making components, which are often used to execute attacks and ambushes on military formations and civilian populations.
A military source, speaking on the significance of the operation, described Abu Fatima’s death as a major milestone for the Nigerian Armed Forces and a severe blow to ISWAP’s operational capabilities.
The source compared the impact of Abu Fatima’s death to that of Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram, noting the psychological and strategic setback this development represents for the insurgent group.
“This is a milestone achievement for the military and a great setback to the terrorists,” the source remarked, highlighting the importance of continued intelligence-led operations to dismantle the remnants of ISWAP and other terrorist factions operating in the region.
This latest success by Operation Hadin Kai underscores the Nigerian military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the North-East, which has been the epicentre of violent insurgency for over a decade.
The elimination of a key ISWAP figure such as Abu Fatima is expected to significantly weaken the morale and organisational structure of the terrorist group in the region.