By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigerian military has recorded significant victories against Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram fighters in recent coordinated operations in Borno State.
The raids, carried out through combined air and ground assaults in Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, forced the insurgents into confusion and led to the emergency burial of dozens of their fighters.
The offensive followed last Friday’s attack by ISWAP gunmen on Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area, where about 60 civilians were killed.Residents reported to Zagazola Makama that the terrorists stormed the community, shooting indiscriminately before retreating toward the forest.
Their movements, however, were detected by military Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, which guided airstrikes against them.
“The ISR platforms picked up multiple terrorist movements. The Air Component swiftly engaged them with devastating precision, instantly neutralising more than 30 fighters,” a senior security source told Zagazola.
Following the air bombardments, ground troops from nearby Forward Operating Bases entered Darajamal to restore calm and provide support to survivors.In another phase of the operation, armed drones targeted terrorist hideouts and movement routes within the Mandara Mountains.
At least four locations were struck, leading to the deaths of several commanders and fighters. Survivors fled in disorder, leaving behind both weapons and corpses of their colleagues.
Intelligence further revealed that the Ali Ngulde faction of Boko Haram, which has been weakened by sustained military pressure in the Sambisa axis, buried not less than 47 bodies of slain members in hurried ceremonies at scattered sites.