By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency with the elimination of a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP leader, Abu Khalid, alongside 10 other terrorists during a decisive night operation in Borno State.
Abu Khalid, identified as the second-in-command of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest, was said to be a key figure in the terror group’s hierarchy, responsible for coordinating operations and logistics within the Sambisa axis.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the successful operation came barely 24 hours after troops neutralised another notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, who had been operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.
The statement explained that troops of Sector 1, working in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) under Operation DESERT SANITY, engaged terrorists in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area during night offensives.
Following the encounter, troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food supplies, as well as a large cache of medical consumables.
Military authorities confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation. The statement noted that troops’ morale remains high as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other identified Boko Haram and ISWAP hideouts in the North-East.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its determination to sustain the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised and lasting peace, economic stability and security are fully restored to the region.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command commended the troops for their sacrifices and dedication, urging them to maintain the operational momentum in the ongoing fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the North-East.
