The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) suffered heavy losses Thursday as its fighters came under intense fire by the Nigerian Army.
One of their senior commanders, Bukar Gana Fitchmeram (aka Abu Aisha), and scores of his fighters, were said to be on a revenge mission at Damasak, when Nigerian soldiers hit them in ground and air attacks.
Other commanders killed in the airstrikes were identified as Mohammad Fulloja, Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al -Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem, while Goni Mustapha, the Chief Imam of the ISWAP escaped with bullet wounds.
It is however not clear how their names were known.
The attack was part of a week-long air and ground operations by troops in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
The army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said “the terrorists …desperately conducted two separate failed attacks on Gajiram and Damasak.”
The terrorists had however killed some troops and destroyed the United Nations humanitarian hubs during the attack.
The statement titled, ‘How ISWAP seniors commanders on revenge mission met their waterloo at Damasak.” stated, “The deadly air strikes conducted on Tudun Wulgo, Zari and Tumbun Alhaji, Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari, in Abadam, Marte and Ngala Local government Areas, led to the killing of top ISWAP Leaders.
“The commanders that perished in the airstrikes were Mohammad Fulloja, Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al -Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem, while Goni Mustapha who was the Chief Imam of the ISWAP escaped with bullet wounds.”
