A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Bukar Gana Fitchmeram, known as Abu Aisha, and many of his fighters, who were on a revenge mission at Damasak, were killed by the troops on Thursday.
The Nigeria Army said that the terrorist and his fighters fell to the firepower of the troops as they made a comeback following the killings of 12 high-value ISWAP commanders in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State in a week-long air and ground operation by the troops.
The force spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed that “the terrorists who were denied any sanctuary or respite desperately conducted two separate failed attacks on Gajiram and Damasak.”
The terrorists were earlier reported to have killed some troops and destroyed the United Nations humanitarian hubs in an attack on Damasak but Yerima in a statement on Friday revealed that top ISWAP leaders were killed by airstrikes during the attack
The statement was titled, ‘How ISWAP seniors commanders on revenge mission met their waterloo at Damasak.’
It read that, “The deadly airstrikes conducted on Tudun Wulgo, Zari and Tumbun Alhaji, Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari, in Abadam, Marte and Ngala Local government Areas, led to the killing of top ISWAP Leaders.
“The commanders that perished in the airstrikes include Mohammad Fulloja, Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al -Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem, while Goni Mustapha who was the Chief Imam of the ISWAP escaped with bullet wounds.”
The army further maintained that the artillery bombardment and airstrikes on April 6 also resulted in the elimination of two top ISWAP leaders including Abu-Rabi and Muhammed Likita as well as scores of their troops and bodyguards within the axis of Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari in Abadam Local Government Areas.
The army further said the storage facilities of the terrorists that housed weapons used to conduct several attacks were targeted and destroyed in the air raid by the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole.
On Saturday’s night, April 10, the Army spokesperson explained that three other terrorist commanders, named Ameer Umar, Abu Ubaida and Abu Salim, were ambushed and killed by troops around Wulgo/Logomani axis close to Cameroon borders in his attempt to attack locals and rustle their cows.
According to Yerima, the devastating airstrikes and artillery bombardment on the ISWAP camps had pushed the surviving fighters to conduct desperate attacks and looting missions for food and drugs for their injured colleagues.
The statement further said, “Also on April 11, the Nigerian military bombardments eliminated scores of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists in five guntrucks in Damasak.
“Some of the terrorists were hit close to the perimeter fencing, while others were neutralized while attempting to loot food items in a store belonging to the United Nations as well as drugs and ambulances. However, three soldiers and some civilians lost their lives while properties were burnt in the town.
“Some of the terrorists still got access to the town, burning and looting items before vacating the area. It is also noteworthy that Damasak has been attacked several times and failed.
“Troops’ fighting spirit remains very high in spite of the nefarious activities of some local informants who often tip the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on troops’ movements and positions.”
