In a decisive counterterrorism operation, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, backed by air power from the Nigerian Air Force, have eliminated a notorious Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Malam Jidda, during a coordinated offensive in Ngazalgana, a community in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The military onslaught, which occurred over the weekend, marks another significant success in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to degrade insurgent strongholds in the volatile northeast, particularly within the notorious Timbuktu Triangle — an area straddling parts of Borno and Yobe states that has long served as a strategic hideout for jihadist elements.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Theatre Command, the offensive was conducted based on credible intelligence which pinpointed the terrorists’ movement and hideouts in the area. The joint air-ground operation saw troops engage the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of Malam Jidda and several of his foot soldiers.
Malam Jidda, described as a high-value target, was said to have coordinated multiple attacks on both military formations and civilian settlements in the North East. His elimination is considered a major blow to the operational structure of ISWAP in the region. Military sources revealed that the operation also led to the destruction of terrorist logistics hubs and the recovery of assorted arms and ammunition.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and normalcy across the troubled North East zone. The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Air Component and other security agencies, continues to intensify clearance operations, aiming to flush out remnants of terrorist factions still operating in forest enclaves and remote border communities.
Civilians in the affected areas have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces by reporting suspicious activities. The military also reassured residents that all necessary steps are being taken to protect lives and property while consolidating on recent gains in the war against insurgency.
Operation HADIN KAI, launched in 2021 as a successor to Operation LAFIYA DOLE, remains the flagship counterinsurgency mission in Nigeria’s northeast, with ongoing operations in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
