The Nigerian Army has eliminated a top Boko Haram commander, Abba Alai, also known as the Amirul Khahid of Alafa, in a coordinated military operation in Garin Fallujah and Gwoza, Borno State.

The development was contained in a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on his official X handle on Monday.

According to him, troops of the 21 Armoured Brigade, in collaboration with the 199 Special Forces Battalion and the Civilian Joint Task Force, launched the clearance operation based on credible intelligence that insurgents were regrouping to launch attacks.

According to Makama, a military source confirmed that “our troops conducted a well-planned assault on the terrorist stronghold, engaging them in a fierce gun battle. Overpowered by superior firepower, the insurgents attempted to flee but suffered heavy casualties, including their commander, Abba Alai.”

During the operation, security forces recovered a cache of weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, a DSHK heavy machine gun barrel, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a radio set, a motorcycle, and assorted medical supplies.

In a separate operation in Gwoza Local Government Area, troops blocked an escape route from Sambisa Forest and engaged Boko Haram fighters in Gobara village.

The encounter forced the terrorists into a chaotic retreat, leading to the recovery of additional weapons, including 57 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, three AK-47 rifle magazines, and two prototype firearms suspected to be used for terrorist training.

During the operation, troops also rescued an elderly woman who had been held hostage by the terrorists for 10 years.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their bravery and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eliminating insurgency in Nigeria.

“Our forces remain resolute in the fight against terrorism. We will continue to hunt down these criminal elements and restore lasting peace to the region,” Oluyede stated.