Nigerian Troops Kill Top Ranking Boko Haram Commander in Alagarno Forest

Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, has said troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a senior Commander of Boko Haram in an encounter with the terrorists on Tuesday morning at the Alagarno Forest.

Olukolade gave the identity of the ‘notorious terrorists commander’ as Abu Mojahid, in a statement on Wednesday.

The Defence spokesman explained that the soldiers had an encounter with the insurgents when they staged a daring attack on troops, who were on patrol in the area.

According to him, the troops killed a number of the terrorists while some rocket propelled grenades and vehicles with mounted anti-aircraft guns were either destroyed or captured in the encounter.

He added that the troops were clearing Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the retreating terrorists to obstruct the troops’ advance in the area.

Olukolade said the military operation against the terrorists were ongoing in some forests of the mission area.

He said, “A notorious top terrorists commander, Abu Mojahid, was among the terrorists that died in their encounter with troops in the outskirt of Alagarno on Tuesday morning. The terrorists had staged a daring attack on troops, who were on patrol of the area.

“Meanwhile, the military operations are continuing in the form of offensive action on identified terrorists in some forest locations. Aggressive patrols, mopping up as well as cordon and search are also continuing in the other locations in search of weapons and terrorists.

“Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the terrorists to deter the comprehensive offensive by the advancing troops are also being carefully cleared as troops continue to pursue fleeing ones.