Nigerian troops neutralise Boko Haram second-in-command Abu Khalid and 10 others in Sambisa Forest, recovering weapons and supplies, with no casualties among soldiers

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a top Boko Haram leader, identified as the group’s second-in-command, alongside 10 other terrorists in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

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The operation, conducted on Saturday around 11:00 p.m., took place in the Komala general area of Konduga Local Government Area during a night offensive by Sector 1 troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) under Operation Desert Sanity.

According to Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East, the operation successfully dismantled key elements of Boko Haram’s leadership.

“Abu Khalid was a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis,” he said.

The troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, ammunition magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as medical consumables. No casualties were recorded among the soldiers during the operation.

This development comes barely 24 hours after troops killed Julaibib, a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander operating in the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.

Lt. Col. Uba emphasised that troop morale remains high and that clearance operations are ongoing across Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle, and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East.

“The Joint Task Force reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised and lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the region,” Uba added.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their dedication in combating terrorism and urged them to maintain operational momentum.

In a related incident, troops working with the CJTF also neutralised three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.

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Operation Hadin Kai continues to play a crucial role in dismantling Boko Haram networks and restoring security to the North East region.