Iliayasu Abdullahi Bah
In a major tactical victory, troops of the Nigerian Army have eliminated eight fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including three high-value commanders, during a fierce clash along the volatile Maiduguri Baga highway in Borno State. The operation, which took place on Monday, represents a significant setback for the terrorist faction operations in the Lake Chad basin region.
According to exclusive intelligence reports provided to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred near Garin Giwa, close to Cross Kauwa. The encounter began when a group of ISWAP insurgents attempted to lay an ambush for a military patrol unit.
The troops, demonstrating superior tactical preparedness, successfully countered the ambush, engaging the terrorists in a fierce gun battle. The superior firepower and resilience of the Nigerian forces ultimately overwhelmed the insurgents.
The operation resulted in the death of eight terrorists, but its true success lies in the elimination of key leadership figures Including Modu Dogo a prominent Munzir (field commander) operating from Dogon Chukun, a second field commander whose identity is still being confirmed and Abu Aisha Qaid (sector leader) from Tumbun Mota.
The elimination of such high-ranking commanders is a critical blow to ISWAP operational chain of command, disrupting its planning capabilities and morale in the region.
The intensity of the troops’ response caused a disorderly retreat among the surviving insurgents. Intelligence sources confirmed that several other fighters sustained severe gunshot wounds as they fled the scene on foot.
In their haste to escape, the terrorist group was forced to abandon a significant number of assets, including fourteen motorcycles, which were recovered by the troops. The seizure of these logistics vehicles cripples the group mobility for future attacks and supply runs in the area.
This successful counter ambush is the latest in a series of setbacks for ISWAP fighters operating in the fringes of the Lake Chad basin. It underscores the continued pressure being applied by Nigerian security forces, degrading the terrorist organization leadership and weakening its operational strength. The incident serves as a testament to the improved intelligence and proactive posture of the troops in the ongoing fight against insurgency in Nigeria Northeast.