Military Airstrikes Deplete ISWAP Rank And File
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force have reportedly killed several terrorists known for their vicious history in a recent offensive around Lake Chad.
Recent bombardments carried out by the air components of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) around Lake Chad have led to the killing of many ISWAP terrorists, including some of the group’s top fighters, officials said.
A top MNJTF official informed HumAngle that among those killed in an airstrike was a ferocious and notable commander of ISWAP. HumAngle could not independently verify the names provided by officials, but multiple independent sources confirmed that recent airstrikes had depleted ISWAP’s rank and file.
The top MNJTF Commander, who spoke to HumAngle on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists, said the airstrike was part of the recent assault campaigns that troops embarked upon, which focus on identifying Boko Haram/ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad general area.
“If you understand the internal organogram of ISWAP, amongst those killed are members of the Shura Council and some of the leaders of the military units,” the source explained.
Multiple sources attributed the growing intensity of the airstrikes to the acquisition of new military equipment and weaponry, which is complimenting ground operations by the Chadian military within the Lake Chad basin area.
MNJTF ground and air operations in the region are among the top reasons, according to close observers, driving recent surrenders of terrorists to government forces and the relocation of some of the terrorists to urban areas outside of Lake Chad.
It is unclear what the Nigerian government is doing to contain ISWAP terrorist’s expansionist campaign, following a series of attacks in Taraba and Kogi States, with the latest attack killing police officers in a town in Niger State close to the Federal Capital Territory.
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