ISWAP chiefs ‘planning attack’ killed in airstrikes in Lake Chad

Two chiefs of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have been reportedly killed in an airstrike by troops of operation Hadin Kai in Lake Chad.  

According to PR Nigeria, the troops carried out the airstrike in Belowa, one of the few remaining ISWAP/Boko Haram hideouts in the Tumbuns, Abadam local area of Lake Chad.

Ali Kwaya and Bukar Mainoka, the ISWAP chiefs who were critical members of the group were killed, while several others sustained injuries during the military raid.

According to a military intelligence who spoke with PR Nigeria, the terrorists were gathering to plan an attack on the troops at Bolewa. Still, they were neutralised with rockets and bombs fired at their enclave.

“An hour after the strikes, 2 vehicles conveying about 13 injured surviving terrorists to another hideout were struck through precision strikes by NAF aircraft,” the military intelligence was quoted.

“Feedback after the strikes revealed that ISWAP kingpin, Mallam Ali Kwaya who is a key member of the ISWAP Shura council and Mallam Bukar Mainoka were among those neutralized in the strikes.”

The military intelligence also said that the troops launched a similar strike at Ngwuri Gana in Bama LGA, a location in the eastern part of Maiduguri, the Borno capital on Friday.

“The strikes became expedient sequel to intelligence that a group of ISWAP insurgents in 15 trucks were spotted converging at the location,” the source said.

“Feedback revealed the strike was on point as several terrorists were neutralized and all their structures and vehicles engulfed in fire.”

Speaking on the military raid, Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, confirmed the strikes by the troops on the enclave but declined to mention names of terrorists killed during the operation.

“Our path to victory in the Northeast and northwest remains on course and we won’t relent until all locations are free of terrorists and insurgents,” Gabkwet said.

“Let’s also not forget that the resilience of our pilots and technicians is in line with the directive of the chief of air staff, air marshal Amao that terrorists and insurgents must be denied their hiding places.”