Troops Eliminate 20 ISWAP Fighters, Commander in Yobe
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP and killed a senior commander during a coordinated counter-insurgency operation in Yobe State.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a briefing on military operations conducted between March 7 and March 12, 2026.
According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the terrorists were eliminated when troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled a coordinated night attack in Goniri, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Onoja said the operation was supported by close air support from the Nigerian Air Force.
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He explained that during the encounter, troops neutralised several terrorists including a high-value commander identified as Abu Yusu.
He described Abu Yusu as the “Munzir of Dursula,” a key operational leader within the terrorist group.
“On March 11, 2026, troops of Sector 2 in Goniri, Yobe State, supported by close air support from the Air Component, successfully repelled a coordinated multi-directional night attack launched by ISWAP terrorists.
“During the engagement, troops neutralised over 20 terrorists, including the high-value target Abu Yusu, identified as the Munzir of Dursula,” Onoja said.
He added that several terrorist corpses, weapons, improvised explosive devices, and ammunition were recovered after the battle.
The military spokesman stated that troops maintained control of the area after the operation and launched clearance and pursuit missions in surrounding communities to prevent the insurgents from regrouping.
He also disclosed that during the week under review, troops intercepted fuel supplies meant for insurgents and arrested several logistics suppliers aiding terrorist operations in the North-East.
According to him, three suspected logistics suppliers were arrested in Kanama while a suspected terrorist tax collector was apprehended in Kafiya village, both in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Onoja further said troops recovered arms caches after repelling terrorist attacks in Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State.
He added that troops also successfully repelled simultaneous attacks on Forward Operating Base Tuba and Doro Baga on March 10.
The Defence Headquarters noted that the operations also led to the surrender of 14 terrorists within the reporting period.
Onoja said the development brought the cumulative number of insurgents who have surrendered since the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor in 2015 to 122,843.
