By Atoyebi Nike
Nigerian military forces have repelled coordinated infiltration attempts by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Monguno and Bitta communities near the Lake Chad region, killing a senior field commander and at least 17 others during late-night operations.
The raid, which took place around 2:30 a.m., saw troops engage the insurgents in a fierce gunfight in Bitta, leading to the death of the senior ‘Quiad’ commander, identified as Ibn Khalid, alongside the group’s cameraman.
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed that 17 more terrorists were eliminated in follow-up operations across the Sambisa forest, stretching through Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa and Kaga in Borno State. Several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds, leaving behind trails of blood along their escape routes.
Recovered items from the terrorists included two AK-47 magazines, 7.26mm special ammunition, a PKT machine gun belt, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bomb, and a camcorder believed to be used for propaganda footage.
Monguno, which serves as the administrative headquarters of Northern Borno and hosts the Sector 3 command of Operation Hadin Kai and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), remains secure under military control. While normalcy has returned to the town, many surrounding communities in the Lake Chad region remain deserted due to the ongoing security challenges and lack of reconstruction.
