MNJTF Lists 4 ISWAP Commanders Among 100 Terrorists Killed Around Lake Chad

At least four known top commanders of the Islamic State affiliate in West Africa, ISWAP, were counted amongst the over 100 terrorists recently killed by government forces on the Lake Chad islands. 

Colonel Muhammad Dole, a Chief of Military Public Information who disclosed this from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) headquarters in N’Djamena, said the troops have in the past weeks been conducting land and air offensives against the terrorists. 

Dole said the soldiers were charged under a special operation, codenamed Operation Lake Sanity, which engaged troops Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, as well as the Air Task Forces of the MNJTF, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and other security agencies.”

The MNJTF said troops were recently able to clear locations known as hellholes of the insurgent group, including  Zanari, Arina Woje, “which served as a major fabrication workshop of ISWAP; as well as  Asagar, Larki and Garere.” 

Other areas cleared include Kerenoa, Wurje, Arege, Abadam, Doron Lelewa, Kolaram, and several other locations around the Islands. 

“Within the period of this operation, well over a hundred terrorists have been neutralised, including over 10 top commanders neutralised following intelligence-driven lethal airstrikes in the Lake Chad islands by the combined Air Taskforces,” said the force spokesperson. 

He named Abubakar Dan Buduma, Abubakar Shuwa, Abu Ali, and Abu Jubrilla as some of the 10 killed commanders.

Dole said the triumphant troops had recovered and destroyed sophisticated weapons of different calibres “including a 105 mm artillery piece, several canoes/boats, motorcycles, bicycles, other terrorists’ equipment”. Several Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) making factories and bunkers were destroyed, he added.

“A significant number of innocent citizens, mostly women and children held captive by the criminals, were rescued,” said Dole.

“[A] large quantity foodstuff (grains), fuel dumps, illicit drugs, terrorists’ uniforms and other household materials were recovered and destroyed immediately.” 

He stated that the Force Commander, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, had commended the troops for their courage and commitment. 

“While paying tribute to the members of this operation, who paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, he referred to them as heroes that would never be forgotten. He also prayed for the quick recovery of the wounded heroes.”

General Ibrahim urged the troops “to be resolute and bold to finally eradicate the criminals from the Lake Chad areas and promised continuous logistics support to the troops.”