Nigerian Army Neutralizes Notorious Terror Commander Abu Nazir in Borno State Operation

Decisive Strike Against ISWAP/JAS Terror Network

In a significant blow to terrorist operations in northeastern Nigeria, troops of 3 Battalion stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Rann Kala have eliminated Amirul Fiya, better known by his alias Abu Nazir, during intense counter-terrorism operations in Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation, which occurred on August 7, saw Nigerian forces engage Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP/JAS) terrorists who were attempting to attack the local community. The firefight resulted in three confirmed terrorist fatalities, including the high-profile commander whose death marks a critical victory in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts.

Weapons Cache and Follow-Up Operations

Acting Director of Army Public Relations Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Anele revealed that subsequent exploitation operations at dawn uncovered blood trails indicating several wounded terrorists had fled the scene. The troops recovered:

• One AK-47 rifle
• Unexploded ordnance
• Two rocket-propelled grenades
• Various tactical items

In a follow-up operation conducted on August 9 in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid Force units, soldiers discovered another terrorist corpse along with:

• One QJC 88-barrel gun
• AA gun tripod
• 20 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammunition
• Backpack and bicycle

Simultaneous Successes Across Multiple Fronts

The Nigerian Army’s operational successes extended beyond Borno State, demonstrating the military’s expanding reach against security threats nationwide.

Zamfara Rescue Operation

On August 8, troops from 1 Brigade Combat Team 2 acted on credible intelligence regarding terrorist activities along the Gusau-Kaura Namoda road in Zamfara State. The swift response forced the criminals to abandon two kidnapped victims, who were safely reunited with their families.

Ebonyi Community Crisis Intervention

In Ebonyi State, soldiers from 24 Special Engineer Regiment intervened in a violent communal clash between Iyimagwu and Ekpomaka communities in Ikwo Local Government Area on August 9. When fired upon from an abandoned building, troops neutralized one armed criminal and recovered:

• One G3 rifle
• 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition
• 16 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition
• Four hand grenades

Army’s Unwavering Commitment to National Security

Lt.-Col. Anele emphasized that these operations reflect the Nigerian Army’s steadfast determination to protect the nation’s sovereignty and safeguard its citizens. “The Army remains committed to sustaining aggressive operations in synergy with other security agencies to ensure lasting peace and security across Nigeria,” she stated.

These coordinated strikes demonstrate the military’s evolving strategy of combining precision counterterrorism operations with rapid response to emerging security threats, from insurgent activities in the northeast to kidnapping gangs in the northwest and communal violence in the southeast.

Security analysts suggest that the elimination of high-value targets like Abu Nazir could disrupt terrorist command structures in the Lake Chad region, though they caution that the groups may attempt retaliatory attacks in coming weeks.

Full credit to the original publisher: The Nation