In a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Nigerian Army troops under Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated Abu Fatima, one of the terror group’s most notorious commanders. He was killed in Aleru village, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, along with two senior aides.
Abu Fatima, who had a ₦100 million bounty placed on his head, was reportedly captured alive during the operation but later died due to severe blood loss. According to the Army’s statement posted on its official Facebook page Friday, the raid also led to the seizure of AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, and explosive-making components.
Military sources say Fatima was instrumental in coordinating deadly assaults across northern Borno, especially in the Baga region. His operations had long terrorized residents of Baga, Kukawa, Cross, and Doro—areas where countless fishermen and farmers fell victim to ISWAP’s violence.
Security analysts see his death as a critical win for the Nigerian military, with local observers likening the impact to the 2021 killing of Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram.
While the Army did not disclose further tactical details, the operation is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
