Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Monguno town and Bitta community in the volatile Lake Chad region.
The daring midnight operation, which occurred around 2:30 a.m., led to the death of several insurgents, including a notorious senior commander.
According to the Theater Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the terrorists launched a surprise assault but were met with swift and heavy resistance by the Nigerian military. In the intense gunfight that followed, a top Boko Haram figure known as Ibn Khalid was neutralized along with the group’s cameraman, who was attempting to record the attack in Bitta.
Major General Abubakar disclosed that seventeen other insurgents were killed during simultaneous operations conducted in separate locations spanning Sambisa Forest. These areas included parts of Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State and Kaga in Borno State, underscoring the expansive reach of the military campaign. Several terrorists reportedly fled the battlefield, sustaining varying degrees of injuries in the process.
“Our troops observed blood trails along the terrorists’ retreat paths, indicating that many escaped with injuries,” Major General Abubakar explained, highlighting the intensity of the battle and the tactical efficiency of the Nigerian soldiers.
Recovered from the fleeing terrorists were essential combat items including two AK-47 magazines, 7.26mm special ammunition, one PKT ammunition belt, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, and a camcorder that may have been used for propaganda purposes. These discoveries point to the insurgents’ intention not only to attack but also to document their actions for media dissemination.
Monguno, the administrative hub of Northern Borno and the command base for Sector 3 of Operation Hadin Kai as well as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), remains a strategic location in the fight against terrorism. While the town itself has witnessed a relative return to normalcy, with civil governance restored and residents resuming daily life, surrounding communities near the Lake Chad basin remain desolate. Many of these areas are still waiting for reconstruction and resettlement efforts to be completed.
The latest operation underscores the Nigerian military’s ongoing determination to push back against insurgent threats in the northeast, particularly around the strategic Lake Chad axis. It also reinforces the importance of international and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in West Africa.
What You Should Know
Ibn Khalid, the senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander killed in the Lake Chad offensive, was a high-ranking militant believed to have overseen several attacks in Borno State.
His death marks a significant setback for the insurgents, particularly as Monguno continues to serve as a critical military base in ongoing regional counterterrorism efforts.
