BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, OCTOBER 26, 2026/ 09:13PM
Abu Zubiru, a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, has been killed by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Lake Chad Basin.
He was killed alongside 15 other terrorists.
In a statement on Monday by Hadin Kai's spokesman, Capt. Mohammed Goni said the terrorists were killed during coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected enclaves in the Tunbunma area of South Lake Chad.
Capt. Goni said the operation was carried out between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on 26 October 26, 2026, following intelligence on the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters.
According to him, battle damage assessment confirmed 16 fighters neutralised, including Abu Zubiru and his two associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.
He added that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven others.
With this success, troops have neutralised a total of 37 terrorists in the last 72 hours of sustained operations.
Operation Hadin Kai said there is no hiding place for terrorists and urged the public to provide credible information to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North East.