Nigerian troops have reportedly killed the leader of a Boko Haram faction, alongside 31 other militants, in an operation in the northern state of Borno. According to a statement from the military, the operation took place on Wednesday in the Alagarno forest, a known hideout for Boko Haram militants.
“The Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, acting on credible intelligence, dispatched an attack aircraft, which neutralized the terrorists’ hideout,” the statement said.
“Among the terrorists killed was the Commanding Officer of the faction and 31 of his followers.”
Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009, has been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The group has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is known for its brutal tactics, including suicide bombings and mass killings.
The Alagarno forest is one of the largest in northern Nigeria and has been the site of numerous Boko Haram attacks in the past. The military’s successful operation in the forest marks a significant development in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This latest air raid is yet another testament to the gallantry of the troops and the capacity of the Nigerian military to tackle the terrorists,” the statement added.
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