Nigerian military kill ISWAP ‘sniper and chief prosecutor’ in airstrikes

Airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian military has killed three commanders of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region said the terrorist group’s sniper, Amir Bashir, known as Iblis (devil) and one of the commanders were killed in the raid.

The strikes coordinated by the Air Task Force (ATF), Operation Hadin Kai, targeting the terrorists’ hideouts in Rino, Jibularam and Kangarwa in Marte and Kukawa local government areas was Launched in the early hours of September 14.

The two other terrorists killed in airstrike have been identified as Muhammed Balge, a chief prosecutor of ISWAP, and Mallam Chiroma, his second in command.

Sources told Zagazola Makama;

“The first damaging air interdiction targeted a hideout of the terrorists and a training camp in Rinu, killing unspecified number of the fighters.

“In another feats, which followed a credible and actionable intelligence obtained by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, the troops neutralized many terrorists moving in two vehicles in the axis of Kangarwa in Kukawa LGA.

“On receipt of the distress call, NAF aircraft immediately scrambled to the location where they intercepted and neutralised several terrorists.

“Troops deployment around the area revealed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties from the airstrikes.”

A military source was quoted saying that the air force, “operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its offensives against the terrorists in the north-east.”