• Sustained offensive cause confusion, frequent change of leadership amongst terrorists 
• More fighters surrender

The Nigerian Armed Forces on Sunday morning said that its troops killed 10 top Boko Haram /Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ commanders and fighters across the Northeast theatre of operations.

Specifically, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche, said in a statement that the troops also killed six terrorists around Kolofata, as they were attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis.

General Enenche said that the killing and recovery of the terrorists’ weapons is causing “confusion and disharmony” in their camps which is evident in the “frequent changes in ISWAP leadership within a short period.”

According to the statement, “troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to conduct intelligence-based operations which continues to degrade Boko Haram /Islamic State of West Africa Province across the Theatre.   Following credible intelligence, the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 17 July 20 targeted the terrorists on their market activities and undercover movement around Kolofata, a border town with Cameroon where troops of Strong Response Area (SRA) Pulka neutralized 6 Boko Haram terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis.

“Weapons and equipment captured from the terrorists include 3 AK 47 rifles, Magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda salon car, one Motorcycle, 8 Bicycles, 3 Phones with multiple Sims and Memory Cards and 5 copies of the Holy Qur’an, among others. Additionally, there was also a letter written in Hausa to Abu Fatima (Boko Haram top commander), documents and other logistics. Shortly after the successful operation, the enemy communication intercept confirmed killing of a top Boko Haram Commander named Sayinna and other fighters during the encounter. The other slayed terrorists were suspected to be Imam and Mansur to Abu Fatima who hibernate in Sambisa forest.

“Additionally, in recent times troops have been delving serious blows to BHT/ISWAP terrorists in the North East. It could be recalled that the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE gallantly neutralized 8 prominent leaders of the disorganized, marauding elements of the terrorists in their futile attempt to infiltrate Army Super Camp Damasak. During such misadventure, the terrorists met their waterloo on 2 July, 2020 when they were led by their top leaders (Amirs) to attack the troops in Damasak from 2 flanks in an effort to cause them massive casualty. However, with own troops’ doggedness, superior firepower and maneuver the terrorists were devastated and the rest escaped in total disarray.

“The Military successes of Operation LAFIYA DOLE particularly since the turn of the year 2020, has continually caused confusion and disharmony in the camps of the insurgents. This is evident by the frequent changes in ISWAP leadership within a short period and these was largely due to the several losses inflicted on them by own troops in both men, weapons and equipment.

“Amongst the top BHT/ISWAP leaders killed during the encounter at Damasak and buried by the terrorists  at Goski village in the early hours of 3 Jul 20 were, Tumbun Dabino – Ba Issoufou, Tumbun Bororo – Amir Batam, Tumbun Jaki – Almustapha, Tumbun Bagaruwa – Modou Kollo, Dogon Tchoukou – Issah, Tumbun Rakke  – Mustapha Woulama, Tumbun Dila – Boukar Kowa and Tumbun Mita – Abou Aisha.

“The series of successes so far recorded has led to several of the insurgents surrendering in their numbers. They voluntarily admitted that the insurgency is driven more by need for money, power, greed and criminality and less of any ideology. The High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has commended all the security agencies operating in the North East Zone, for their sustained successes. They are further urged to remain resolute and maintain the momentum of onslaught against the enemies of our country.”