Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have eliminated a top Boko Haram/ISWAP leader, Abu Khalid, identified as the Second-in-Command of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest, alongside 10 other terrorists during a night operation in Borno State.

According to Army Headquarters sources, Khalid was killed barely 24 hours after troops eliminated the notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.

According the source, troops of Sector 1 in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Operation DESERT SANITY, made contact with terrorists at the Komala general area of Konduga local government area of the State during night offensives at about 11:00 p.m.

He said Abu Khalid was a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis, adding that following the successful engagement, troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as huge medical consumables.

“No casualty was recorded among own troops during the operation,” he said.

He said troops’ morale remained high as clearance operations continued across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East region.

“The Joint Task Force (North East) reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised, lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the region,” the source said.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their sacrifices and dedication in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the North-East region, urging them to sustain the operational tempo.

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