The Nigerian military has neutralised Ali Kwaya and Bukar Mainoka, two of the Islamic State of West African Province’s, ISWAP, top terrorist leaders.
News Central gathered they were killed on Saturday during a raid by Nigerian military fighter jets at Lake Chad.
When the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction missions at Belowa, one of the very few remaining ISWAP/Boko Haram enclaves in the Tumbuns, Lake Chad Region in Abadam Local Government, Messrs Kwaya and Mainoka, who were also important members of the ISWAP Shura (Consultation) Council, they met their demise.
A military intelligence agent informed them that their airstrikes at Belowa were necessary after information showed that certain ISWAP leaders and fighters had met there for a meeting with the intention of plotting operations against friendly forces.
The source, who requested anonymity, claimed that numerous passes by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter planes sent to the terrorists’ meeting spot at Belowa attacked the ISWAP forces with bombs and rockets.
“An hour after the strikes, 2 vehicles conveying about 13 injured terrorists to another hideout were struck through precision strikes by NAF aircraft.
“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,” he said.
The military intelligence agent claimed that similar strikes were also carried out on Friday in Ngwuri Gana, a locality east of Maiduguri in the Bama LGA.
He said: “The strikes became expedient sequel to intelligence that a group of ISWAP insurgents in 15 trucks was spotted converging on the location.
“Feedback revealed the strike was on point as several terrorists were neutralized and all their structures and vehicles engulfed in fire”.
When contacted, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, confirmed the strikes but did not disclosed the names of those killed.
He however said, “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.
“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.”