Boko Haram: Top ISWAP Commander, Ari killed in Airstrike in Borno

Boko Haram: Top ISWAP Commander, Ari killed in Airstrike in Borno

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian Military has killed a Notorious Senior Commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP) commander, Mallam Ari in an Airstrike in Borno state northeast Nigeria.

Ari’s camp was hit by Super Tucano aircraft under Operation Hadin Kai. The Nigerian Airforce also eliminated several other ISWAP Commanders and terrorists at Kirta Wulgo.

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Wulgo in Ngala local government area of Borno state is about 300km from Maiduguri the state capital.

“Ari was in charge of Kirta Wulgo. He was killed alongside foreign mercenaries fabricating Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) for the terrorists.” A source said

The airstrikes were reportedly authorized after intelligence revealed over 40 terrorists converging at the fringes of Northeast Kirta Wulgo, close to a point where a suspected ISWAP flag was hoisted.

“Some were also seen with weapons around a nearby make-shift structure, which was a likely indication that the structure might have had a high calibre terrorist target.

“After the airstrikes, some of the surviving terrorists were observed making frantic efforts to put out the fire that ensued while others took to their heels.Indeed, the make-shift structures were significantly burnt and destroyed at the fringes.”

“Several ISWAP fighters were neutralized in the air strikes including one Mallam Ari who was identified as the Fiya of Kirta Wulgo.” The source revealed.

The NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed that the NAF indeed carried out some strikes in areas around Kirta Wulgo, but remained silent on the number or identities of the casualties.

ISWAP leadership recently made sweeping changes to their structures due to the loss of some of its key members killed mainly through air strikes

Boko Haram: Top ISWAP Commander, Ari killed in Airstrike in Borno