Military kills 16 ISWAP fighters in Lake Chad strikes

The Nigerian military says it has neutralised 16 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Lake Chad area.

The strikes were carried out in the early hours of Monday at suspected terrorist enclaves in Tunbunma, southern Lake Chad, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, citing the outcome of a battle damage assessment.

Goni said those reportedly killed included Abu Zubiru, described as an Arab national, and two associates identified as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.

He added that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven other persons.

According to the military spokesman, the operation involved the deployment of air and ground weapon systems against the three identified locations.

Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at weakening terrorist networks and restoring peace and normalcy to the North-East.

He urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

(NAN)

.