Military kills 438 Boko Haram, ISWAP fighters in seven months – Army

The Nigerian military says it has killed 438 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during coordinated operations carried out over a seven-month period in the North-East.

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this on Saturday during a Christmas luncheon held in Maiduguri.

Abubakar said the operations, conducted between May and December, were part of sustained joint efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves across the theatre of operations.

According to him, troops also recovered 254 assorted weapons and 300 Starlink communication devices, while 366 civilians were rescued from insurgents’ hideouts during the period.

He added that 881 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, alongside their families, surrendered to troops, describing the development as a major boost to ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

The theatre commander noted that the Christmas celebration coincided with the commencement of dry-season operations, assuring that troops remain fully committed to sustaining the momentum.

Abubakar attributed the successes recorded in the Joint Operations Area to the support and strategic interventions of the Chief of Army Staff, while reaffirming the loyalty and resolve of personnel under his command to secure lasting peace in the region.