The Nigerian Army says it has eliminated one Boko Haram top commander, Abu Usamah in its operation that took place on 22nd March 2020 in Gorgi, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement explained that Operation LAFIYA DOLE in its special operation called Ayiso Tamonuma, decimated some key members of Boko Haram.
Recall that on 22 March, 2020, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, while conducting a special clearance operation in a subsidiary operation called ”Operation AYISO TAMONUMA,” decimated some key Boko Haram elements in an encounter at Gorgi in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The statement added that in its earlier press briefing, it reported that over 100 Boko Haram insurgents were neutralized while scores of them escaped with gunshot wounds in addition to several casualties suffered by the Boko Haram insurgents.
“As an update to that report, it is gratifying to note that, own communication intercepted and confirmed by accurate intelligence that a top Boko Haram Commander, ABU USAMAH, was among those Boko Haram insurgents killed during that encounter,” the statement explained.
The Army affirmed that the victim had earlier sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the fire-fight that ensued during the encounter before his foot soldiers hurriedly evacuated him and withdrew.
The statement added, “Nevertheless, Abu Usamah died in the process. His death has no doubt created a consequential vacuum in the Boko Haram leadership, particularly as the gallant troops remain resilient and continue to rout the criminal elements from their last enclaves in the North East.”